Dhaka Bureau: Asif Mahtab, a part-time teacher in the philosophy department of BRAC University, was fired on January 20 for making negative comments about the seventh grade textbook story ‘Sharif to Sharifa’ and tearing the pages of the book in public. The university did not explain why he was fired.
In a press release signed by the public relations officer of the university on Monday (January 29), Fathias Fahmid clarified the dismissal of the teacher.
Like all institutions of higher learning, BRAC University believes in constructive discussion, debate, and mutual exchange based on tolerance and respect for all opinions and ideologies.
It said that the destruction of national resources through destructive activities is totally unacceptable behavior, which BRAC University does not support. BRAC University considers the recent incident of BRAC teacher Asif Mahtab ripping out pages of Utsa’s Class VII national textbook and asking others to do the same in public forums. They do not condone such uneducated behavior in any way. Therefore, BRAC University has decided not to offer a new contract to Asif Mahtab as a part-time teacher for the spring semester of 2024. However, the university will remunerate Mahtab for his time and effort in preparation for this semester.
It further states that BRAC University respects the constitution and laws of the country in all respects and is committed to complying with the prevailing regulations of the country. Therefore, the allegations that BRAC University is associated with the promotion and spread of homosexuality on social media are completely baseless. BRAC University believes in creating equal opportunities for every human being to develop equal rights and potential.
BRAC University teacher Asif Mahtab asked the participants to buy the book from the market for 80 taka in a seminar organized at the Institute of Diploma Engineers in the capital on January 19. He later advised her to tear out the two pages containing the transgender story from the book and return it to the store. In the seminar, he also criticized the class VII books. And upload that video to social media. He claimed that the students are being brainwashed by inserting ‘transgender stories’ in the textbooks of class VII.
Then on Sunday (January 21) at 12:15 AM, Mahtab wrote on his Facebook page, “I have just been called and informed that I should not go to the university to take classes anymore.” After that, there was a reaction on social media. Later, when there was a lot of discussion and criticism across the country, the Ministry of Education formed a committee of five members to analyze this story. The work of the committee is ongoing.
