CU Campus Erupts Over Teacher Harassment Incident

A senior academic at the University of Chittagong (CU) was physically harassed and forcibly taken to the proctor’s office on Thursday while performing duties related to the first-year undergraduate admission examinations, triggering widespread concern over campus safety and governance.

According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred shortly after midday in front of the Faculty of Law, when a group of student leaders affiliated with the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CUCSU) pursued the teacher from an examination centre. The academic was allegedly manhandled, verbally abused and compelled to accompany the students to the proctorial office, where his mobile phone was searched without formal authorisation.

The teacher involved, Hasan Mohammad, is an assistant professor in the university’s Law Department and a former assistant proctor. He is also known to be associated with a section of the “Yellow Panel”, a teachers’ platform traditionally aligned with pro-Awami League and left-leaning academics. As of mid-afternoon on Thursday, he remained inside the proctor’s office, where members of the proctorial body and CUCSU representatives continued to examine his phone.

Footage of the incident, lasting just over one minute, rapidly circulated on social media and intensified public scrutiny. The video appears to show several students dragging Hasan Mohammad across campus, with at least one individual restraining him from behind as he shouts in distress. CUCSU office secretary Abdullah Al Noman, library and cafeteria secretary Masum Billah, law and human rights secretary Fazle Rabbi, and executive member Sohanur Rahman are visible in the footage. At one stage, the teacher is placed into an auto-rickshaw and transported to the proctor’s office.

Recounting the events, Hasan Mohammad said that invigilators and staff at the examination centre warned him that the situation was “not good”. As he stepped outside, he was confronted by shouting students and fled in fear, only to be caught and subjected to what he described as a deliberate attempt to incite a mob against him. He strongly denied allegations that he opposed the July mass uprising or persecuted students during his tenure as assistant proctor.

CUCSU leaders, however, rejected claims of assault. Fazle Rabbi alleged that Hasan Mohammad had previously played a role in filing cases against students involved in democratic movements and was implicated in serious abuses during the July uprising, matters that are reportedly under administrative investigation. He argued that students merely sought clarification from the dean as to why an accused teacher was assigned examination duties. Abdullah Al Noman echoed this account, insisting that the teacher was not beaten and was injured only after tripping while running.

University authorities offered mixed responses. The coordinator of the ‘B’ Unit admission test stated that under existing rules, a teacher under investigation may continue duties unless formally dismissed by the syndicate. The acting registrar, however, confirmed that Hasan Mohammad’s salary has been suspended following an inquiry and questioned how he was assigned examination responsibilities at all.

Proctor Professor Hossain Shahid Sarwardi said the administration intervened immediately upon learning of the disturbance and promised a thorough review of the incident.

Key Facts at a Glance :

The episode has reignited debate over due process, student activism and the safety of academics on Bangladeshi university campuses.