DU teacher removed from classes over alleged remarks against veiled student

Dhaka University (DU) on Thursday relieved Associate Professor Tasneem Siraj Mahboob of all teaching duties following allegations that she called a veiled female student a “fundamentalist” and a “terrorist”.

The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the Department of English’s academic committee following a written complaint from students.

Professor Tazin Aziz Chaudhury, chairperson of the department, said the teacher’s courses had been reassigned to other faculty members.

“Her statement does not align with our tradition. So, this is solely her personal opinion,” she said.

“We are also informing the higher authorities about the matter,” Professor Tazin added.

On Wednesday, a female student alleged that Tasneem had called her classmate a “fundamentalist” and a “terrorist” during a class attended by students of the department’s 15th batch (2019–20 session).

Students immediately boycotted the class and walked out in protest against the teacher’s behaviour. They later reported the incident to the department chair.