Khulna University sacks professor after sexual harassment allegation proven

Khulna University (KU) has permanently dismissed Professor Rezaul Islam of the Agrotechnology Discipline after an internal investigation found allegations of sexual harassment against him to be substantiated.

The decision was taken at the university's 237th Syndicate meeting held on Thursday (July 30).

Confirming the development, Acting Registrar Professor S M Mahbubur Rahman said the dismissal decision would not only be implemented at Khulna University but also communicated to all public and private universities and other similar institutions across the country.

According to university sources, the investigation committee of the university's Sexual Harassment and Violence Prevention Centre submitted its report on July 29, concluding that the allegations were proven. The committee recommended disciplinary action under Section 6.3(a) of the 2008 Policy on Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Violence in Higher Educational Institutions.

Acting on the recommendation, the Syndicate found the professor guilty of moral misconduct and approved his permanent dismissal from service.

The allegations surfaced in June, when a female student accused Professor Rezaul Islam of sending obscene and harassing messages through Messenger and WhatsApp. The student submitted a written complaint along with screenshots as evidence, prompting the university to remove him from his position as Discipline Head and launch a formal investigation.

The incident triggered widespread protests on campus, with students staging demonstrations, human chains and effigy-burning programmes demanding exemplary punishment. Repeated attempts to contact Professor Rezaul Islam for his comments were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to phone calls.

Meanwhile, another faculty member, Professor Md Rubel Ansar of the Bangla Discipline, is also facing allegations of sexual harassment. The university has formed a five-member high-level committee to investigate the complaint and asked it to submit its findings within 30 working days.

The latest developments come amid broader unrest at the university. Students have also been protesting over allegations that a canteen employee at Bijoy '24 Hall secretly recorded videos of female students. They have been boycotting classes, examinations and administrative activities indefinitely, demanding the highest punishment for those responsible, accountability of concerned officials and the cancellation of the registration of the Spandan-24 Club.