University Shutters Following Dismissal of Two Academics

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the academic community, the University of Asia Pacific (UAP) has declared an indefinite closure of its campus. This drastic measure was announced on Monday, 19 January 2026, following a weekend of intense student protests that culminated in the summary dismissal of two faculty members accused of “blasphemy.”

The university administration communicated the decision via an emergency notice and a mass email sent to students at 3:00 PM. This escalation follows the controversial removal of Assistant Professor Laeka Bashir and Associate Professor Dr A.S.M. Mohsin, both from the Department of Basic Science and Humanities.

Genesis of the Controversy

The friction began on 10 December, following a social media post by Laeka Bashir. In the post, she reportedly critiqued the cultural practice of face-veiling, a comment that was swiftly branded as “religious defamation” by a segment of the student body and alumni. The post went viral, leading to what Bashir describes as a campaign of online harassment and death threats.

The situation reached a breaking point on the first day of the new semester. A group of protesters, including former students, converged on the campus to hold a press conference and a sit-in, demanding immediate punitive action.

Chronology of Events at UAP

Allegations of “Mob Justice”

While the university administration asserts that the complaints against the academics were “long-standing,” the dismissed professors have hit back, describing their removal as a “repressive act.” They claim they were denied any opportunity for self-defence or a formal hearing before the termination notices were issued.

The academic community is divided on the issue. While one group of students alleges that the professors engaged in “Islamophobic rhetoric” and displayed political bias, others argue that the administration succumbed to “mob pressure.” Critics of the decision contend that “tagging” academics with religious labels has become a dangerous tool to stifle intellectual freedom.

Condemnation from Academic Networks

The University Teachers’ Network has issued a stern condemnation of the UAP administration’s role. They labelled the summary dismissals as “arbitrary” and a “terrifying precedent” for higher education in the country. The network argues that by bypassing the standard investigative process to appease protesters, the university has compromised its institutional integrity.

The administration maintains that an investigative committee was indeed working on the matter, but the “sensitivity of the current atmosphere” necessitated an immediate decision before the final report could be submitted. With the campus now under indefinite closure, the future of the academic semester remains uncertain for thousands of students.