University lecturer suspended over alleged plot to oust government

Assistant Professor Kalyanangshu Naha of the Fine Arts Department at Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University has been temporarily suspended by the university administration. The action follows allegations of his involvement in a plot to overthrow the government during a virtual meeting with top leaders of the banned political party, Awami League.

The suspension was confirmed in a letter signed by the university's Acting Registrar, Khondokar Nazmul Hasan, on Thursday (July 2). The matter came to light on Saturday (July 4).

According to the suspension letter, Kalyanangshu Naha delivered a speech via video conference on June 26 in a Telegram group named "Bangladesh University Progressive Teachers' Society" during a meeting with the top leadership of a party banned and accused of crimes against humanity (the video/audio recordings are preserved by the authorities). During the meeting, he outlined actions required to establish a government reflecting his own political ideology and expressed plans to overthrow the current elected government, which violates service rules.

The letter further stated that he has been temporarily suspended from his job in the interest of the investigation on charges of breaching discipline, under Section 43 (4) of the Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University Act 2006 and the Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University Employee (Efficiency and Discipline) Statutes.

Khondokar Nazmul Hasan, Additional Director of the Registrar's Office, stated that the suspension letter was issued to Assistant Professor Kalyanangshu Naha by order of the authorities. He added that an investigation has been proposed, and a final decision will be made following the inquiry, noting that no further details could be disclosed at this stage.