Rabindra University teacher suspended

Rabindra University teacher Farhana Yeasmin Baten who ignited protests after allegedly trimming the hair of its 14 students as “punishment” has been suspended.

The decision was taken at an urgent meeting of the syndicate committee on Thursday night, chaired by acting Vice Chancellor Abdul Latif, the university, said in a release.

All examinations and administrative activities of the university have also been suspended till further notice, it said.

While acting Vice Chancellor Abdul Latif presided over the syndicate meeting, Dean of Arts Faculty of Dhaka University Prof Abu Mohammad Delwar Hossain, Joint Secretary-3 of the Education Ministry Syeda Nawara Jahan and Registrar of Rabindra University Md Sohrab Ali were present.

All the members present at the meeting expressed regret over the incident and decided to suspend Farhana Yasmin Baten, sources said. Besides, a call will be taken on the dismissal of the teacher after the probe committee submits its report.

On Thursday, student protests gripped Rabindra University against the teacher. The protesters demanded that Farzana be permanently sacked from the university for humiliating their peers.

On September 29, amid student protests, Farhana quit the three positions of assistant proctor, head of Cultural Heritage and Bangladesh Studies Department and syndicate member.