Published : 31 Jul 2026, 08:14 PM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:29 AM
Professor Rezaul Islam of the Agrotechnology Discipline at Khulna University has been dismissed from his job after allegations of sexual harassment against him were found to be substantiated.
The decision was made at the university's 237th Syndicate meeting on Thursday, according to Acting Registrar Prof SM Mahbubur Rahman.
He said, "The Syndicate has decided to dismiss Prof Rezaul from his position. The meeting also decided that this decision will be communicated to all public and private universities, as well as other similar institutions across the country."
Allegation of sending indecent messages to a female student has been raised against the teacher in June.
According to the university's Sexual Harassment Prevention and Redressal Centre, allegations emerged in June that Prof Rezaul had sexually harassed a female student and sent her obscene messages via social media.
Following the allegations, he was removed from his role as head of the discipline.
Students alleged that Prof Rezaul sent the student obscene and harassing messages through Messenger and WhatsApp.
In protest, students staged demonstrations, formed human chains and burned an effigy of the teacher.
The victim later submitted a written complaint, along with screenshots of the messages, to the university's Sexual Harassment Prevention and Redressal Centre as evidence.
Repeated attempts to contact Rezaul by phone for his comments were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, after reviewing investigation reports on complaints No. 23 and No. 24 submitted by the university's Sexual Harassment Prevention and Redressal Centre, the syndicate formed a five-member committee.
The committee has been asked to submit its report within 30 working days.
People familiar with the matter said complaint No. 24 also involves Prof Md Rubel Ansar of the Bangla Discipline.
In recent weeks, students launched an indefinite boycott of classes, examinations and administrative activities, demanding justice over the sexual harassment allegations against Rezaul and Rubel, and allegations that Bijoy '24 Hall canteen employee Imam Hasan secretly recorded videos of female students.
On Jul 23, they locked the university's administrative and academic buildings.
Although the locks were removed on the morning of Jul 26, the boycott of classes and examinations has continued.
Following the incidents, students placed a three-point charter of demands.
They demanded the maximum punishment for Bijoy '24 Hall canteen employee Imam Hasan and accountability from the hall provost for alleged negligence, the permanent dismissal of Prof Rezaul and Prof Rubel over the sexual harassment allegations, and the cancellation of the registration of the recently formed Spandan-24 Club.
