Academics allegedly targeted for supporting Hasina: Human Rights Watch

International human rights organisation Human Rights Watch (HRW) has expressed concern over disciplinary actions against teachers and students at several public universities in Bangladesh over alleged links to former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League party.

The organisation said such measures were being taken in many cases without proper investigations, credible evidence or opportunities for those concerned to defend themselves. Punishing individuals solely for their political views or alleged affiliations is also inconsistent with international human rights law, it said.

HRW raised the concerns in a report released from London on Tuesday, November 3. According to the report, following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government after the 2024 student-led mass uprising, teachers and students faced various forms of disciplinary action at at least 20 public universities based on their alleged political affiliations. The incidents took place at institutions including the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh Agricultural University and Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University.

The organisation said the longstanding pattern of political influence over university campuses had resurfaced under the new circumstances.

Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy Asia director at HRW, said political debate and freedom of expression had long been part of university life in Bangladesh. Such practices should not be restricted even under a government formed through a student-led movement, she said. Repeating similar patterns of behaviour with a change in political power, rather than moving away from a history of repression, is unacceptable, she added.

The report also provided figures on disciplinary measures taken at individual universities. At the University of Dhaka, at least 44 teachers were instructed to stay away from academic and administrative activities without transparent and credible investigations. Six of them were suspended, while investigations were initiated against another 14. In addition, 126 students were temporarily expelled in March 2025, with their examination certificates withheld.

At Bangladesh Agricultural University, 12 teachers were dismissed, suspended or removed from their duties. Another 34 faced demotions or restrictions on their academic and administrative responsibilities. At Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, 12 teachers were suspended and another 10 were barred from academic activities. The report also said promotions of 85 teachers had been withheld.

HRW also highlighted the case of Mashiuur Rahman, a professor of sociology at the University of Dhaka and former vice-chancellor of National University. On September 25, 2024, he was ordered to refrain from all academic and administrative responsibilities at the university. The allegation was that he had described the student movement as "illegal, baseless and unreasonable" during a televised talk show in July that year. However, after reviewing footage of the programme, HRW said it found no evidence that he had made such remarks.

He was also accused of inciting genocide at a meeting of vice-chancellors held at Ganabhaban on August 3, 2024. According to Rahman, no evidence of such remarks was presented to him, and he denied the allegation. On August 31, 2026, university authorities recommended his permanent dismissal. He has appealed against the decision.

The report also examined disciplinary actions against several teachers at Bangladesh Agricultural University, which were based on a procession held on the campus on August 4, 2024. The university's investigation commission had described the procession as a "terrorist procession". However, after reviewing a video published on the Facebook page of the university's journalists' association, HRW said it showed teachers walking and chanting slogans but contained no evidence of clashes or violence.

Professor Purba Islam of the Department of Pharmacology was suspended on August 4, 2025, over allegations that she had chanted slogans during the procession. HRW said she could not be seen chanting slogans in the video it reviewed. On the same day, Professor Yahia Khandaker of the Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics was also dismissed. He said he had been in Dhaka with his family throughout the 2024 movement and had not been on the university campus. The High Court later stayed his dismissal order. However, the Attorney General's Office has appealed against the order.

The HRW report further said that social media posts, membership in Telegram groups, links to political organisations and participation in television discussions were also being considered when taking action against university teachers and students over alleged political affiliations. According to media reports published in August 2026, another 404 teachers from 22 universities were brought under investigation over alleged links to a Telegram group supporting the Awami League.

The report also mentioned the conviction of three teachers in cases involving crimes against humanity before the International Crimes Tribunal. Two of them are in prison, while the other is awaiting trial. HRW said that while accountability for specific crimes must be ensured, every individual must also be guaranteed the right to justice and to defend themselves.

Meenakshi Ganguly said retaliatory action against anyone for peacefully supporting a previous government would indicate that freedom of expression and assembly were not being protected in the country. Universities should remain spaces for free thought, debate and the pursuit of knowledge, she said, adding that they should not become places where support for a particular political ideology is imposed.