Teachers demand UAP staff reinstated

The University Teachers' Network has demanded the reinstatement of two teachers who were dismissed by the University of Asia Pacific (UAP) authorities following student protests over allegations of "blasphemy".

The platform of public and private university teachers raised the demand on Wednesday at a press conference at the National Press Club.

Dhaka University sociology Prof Samina Luthfa read out the written statement at the briefing.

"The crisis of academic freedom has always been acute in Bangladesh. The rulers and those in power try to strangle institutional freedom and forced everyone to speak in the same tone," she said.

The statement pointed out the hope ignited by the July Uprising in people about restoring democracy and protecting freedom of speech.

"Ensuring institutional independence is an expression of that democratic value system and the nurturing of free speech, which is intrinsically linked to the very core concept of a university," the statement said.

"The freedom of thought and expression, along with the convergence of diverse opinions and paths, is what has distinguished universities worldwide from other social institutions," it added.
    �"bdnews24