University of Asia Pacific shuts down indefinitely amid protests over alleged blasphemy

The University of Asia Pacific (UAP) has declared an indefinite shutdown following days of student protests over allegations of “blasphemy” and the dismissal of two teachers.

The university has remained shut since Tuesday, bdnews24.com reports.

Although academic activities were formally suspended, students continued to demonstrate on the campus at Green Road in Dhaka.

The decision to close the university indefinitely was communicated to students through an email notice issued by the authorities on Monday afternoon.

The unrest stems from student accusations against several faculty members.

Protesters alleged that Prof Shamsad Ahmed had been asked for an explanation for taking a photograph with Islamic figure Shaykh Ahmadullah, while Assistant Prof Layeqa Bashir was accused of harassing a student for wearing a hijab.

In response to the protests, the UAP administration on Sunday issued dismissal notices to Prof Bashir of the Department of Basic Sciences & Humanities and Associate Professor ASM Mohsin, the department head.

Students have also accused Mohsin of having links with the Awami League.

On Tuesday, protesting students made 16 demands, including the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Prof Kamrul Ahsan.

Md Maruf Hossain, a Master’s student participating in the demonstrations, told bdnews24.com: “One of our teachers was issued a show cause notice for taking a picture with Shaykh Ahmadullah. Assistant Prof Layeqa Bashir has been hostile towards Islamic-minded people from the beginning. Associate Professor ASM Mohsin, who is associated with the Awami League, reacted with a ‘ha ha’ emoji to a post about Hadi’s shooting.”

He said the movement began on Sunday to demand the dismissal of Bashir and Mohsin, as well as to protest the show cause notice against Shamsad.

“The two teachers were dismissed the same day. We are continuing our sit-in on campus with 15 other demands, including the VC’s resignation,” he added.

Maruf further alleged that Bashir behaved in a hostile manner towards a female student wearing a hijab during an online examination in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“On Dec 10, she also posted a Facebook status criticising the hijab. Students launched a movement against her following that,” he said.

Responding to the allegations, Bashir told bdnews24.com that she had been dismissed without explanation.

“The allegations brought against me are not true,” she said. “During online examinations, a student cannot be identified if their face is covered. Identity verification is mandatory for a viva, which is why I asked a student to uncover their face during an online viva in the COVID period. That video is now being taken out of context and circulated.”

She also addressed the Facebook post cited by students. “Last December, I shared a post with friends only in the context of the double murder in Mohammadpur, saying that covering one’s face can be dangerous.

A screenshot of that post was later spread. It may have been shared by someone from my friends list,” she said.

Mohsin also denied the allegations against him, saying he had been dismissed without being given any reason.

“I completed my Master’s degree in history from Dhaka University in 2009 and topped my batch,” he told bdnews24.com.

“If I were affiliated with the Awami League, I would have been appointed at Dhaka University. This claim is completely false.”

He said the Facebook post he was accused of reacting to could not be found.

“It could have been fabricated using AI to create a mob situation. As the department head, they are now claiming that I tried to protect Layeqa Madam.”

Mohsin said he was present on campus on Sunday and only learnt of his dismissal after returning home.

“I saw the notice later. No explanation was given to me,” he added.

Attempts to contact VC Kamrul Ahsan for comment were unsuccessful. Repeated efforts to reach Acting Registrar Associate Professor Takad Ahmed Chowdhury did not yield a response either.