A press conference organized by the Bangladesh Public University Progressive Teachers' Association at the Jatiya Press Club Zahur Hossain Chowdhury Hall today highlighted the unrest, oppression and injustice created in the country's educational institutions in the last 18 months and called for urgent steps to be taken to restore academic justice and discipline.
The organization's president, Professor Dr. Ohiduzzaman, delivered the speech. At the press conference, the speakers remembered with deep respect the great architect of independence, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the four national leaders, three million martyrs, two hundred thousand mothers and sisters who lost their dignity and the heroic freedom fighters in the month of great independence.
The speakers expressed gratitude to India for its historic role in the independence of Bangladesh in the Liberation War. At the same time, gratitude was also expressed to all the friendly countries including Russia that cooperated in the liberation war. Expectations were expressed for the constructive role of the democratic powers of the world including the United States in establishing peaceful and stable politics and sustainable democracy in Bangladesh in the future.
The press conference said that during the 18 months of the interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, an environment of extreme anarchy, revenge, mob terrorism and oppression has been created in the country. The entire education system, including universities, has been severely damaged.
Allegations of false cases, arrests, temporary and permanent expulsions, academic boycotts, demotions, compulsory retirement and removal from administrative posts were raised against teachers.
In addition, allegations were raised that numerous students' studentships were cancelled, certificates of degree-holding students were cancelled, officials and employees were dismissed and many teachers from primary schools to colleges were forced to resign.
The speakers also said that cases against journalists, arrests, cancellation of accreditation and suppression of the media have also occurred at the same time, which has created a threat to the nation's freedom of speech and democratic structure.
The following demands were presented to the new government at the press conference —
🔹 Demands:
1. The expulsion and temporary expulsion orders of the expelled teachers should be withdrawn immediately and they should be returned to the classroom.
2. The false cases filed against the teachers should be withdrawn immediately.
3. All imprisoned teachers, journalists, doctors, writers, artists, engineers and professionals should be released immediately.
4. The order to prevent teachers from all activities, including academic activities, and to conduct so-called investigations against them through mob violence should be withdrawn and the academic boycott should be withdrawn.
5. The demotion and compulsory retirement orders should be withdrawn immediately and the deprivation of academic promotions should be ended.
6. Teachers who were illegally dismissed from administrative positions or forced to resign should be reinstated.
8. Teachers' withheld salaries and allowances should be resumed with arrears.
9. The expulsion orders of expelled students should be immediately withdrawn.
10. The certificate cancellation orders of degree-holding students should be withdrawn.
11. Expelled officials and employees should be reinstated.
12. Professionals who have been dismissed, including journalists, doctors, writers, artists, and engineers, should be reinstated. Along with that, those who have been dismissed from government and private institutions should be reinstated.
13. All the principals, vice-principals, head teachers, and assistant head teachers, including teachers from primary schools (schools, iftedayi madrasas, kindergartens, etc.) across the country to universities who were forced to resign, should be rehired and compensated.
14. All workers who have been dismissed from industries and factories should be reinstated. Justice must be ensured.
The speakers said that education is the foundation of public consciousness and a sacred institution of the state. Sustainable development is not possible without establishing peace, order and justice in the educational field. They expressed the hope that the concerned authorities will take effective measures soon.
📍 Organizer
Bangladesh Public University Progressive Teachers' Association
Venue: National Press Club
Date: 1 March 2026
Time: 11:00 am
They were present:
Professor Dr. M. Ahiduzzaman (President)
Professor Dr. Zeenat Huda, General Secretary, Dhaka University, Teachers' Association.
Professor Dr. Dulal Chandra Biswas (Vice President, Former Director General, PIB; Professor, Rajshahi University, Journalism)
Professor Dr. A. K. M. Jamal Uddin (Convenor, Blue Party, Dhaka University)
Professor Dr. Mohammad Ajmal Hossain Bhuiyan (Co-Convenor, Blue Party)
Professor Dr. M. Moniruzzaman Shahin, National University.
Professor Dr. Touhida Rashid (Co-Convenor, Blue Party)
Professor Dr. Md. Mahbubur Rahman (Co-Convenor, Blue Party)
Professor Dr. Shabnam Jahan (Co-Convenor, Blue Party)
Professor Dr. Suraiya Akhter (Co-Convenor, Blue Party)
Professor Dr. Jamila A Chowdhury (Co-Convenor, Blue Party)
Professor Dr. Md. Kamal Hossain
Professor Dr. Abdullah Al Mamun (Professor, Rajshahi University, Mass Communication and Journalism)
Professor Dr. Mohammad Kamal Hossain, JNU
Professor Kamrun Nahar Lipi, JNU
Md. Badsha Mia (Associate Professor, NSTU)
Zakia Sultana Mukta (Associate Professor, Gopalganj)
Zainab Binte Hossain (Associate Professor, Gopalganj)
Dr. Mohammad Jasim Uddin (Associate Professor, Comilla)
Bedar Uddin Ahmed, Principal, City College, Dhaka
Anwarul Islam Talukder, Principal, Sujapur Nannar School and College
Sharif Ahmed Sadi, Principal, Syed Ashraful
