DU teacher relieved of classes over niqab comment

Tasneem Siraj Mahboob, an associate professor in the Department of English at the University of Dhaka (DU), has been relieved of teaching duties following allegations that she made discriminatory and offensive remarks about a female student wearing a niqab.

The decision was taken at an academic committee meeting of the English Department of DU on Thursday, October 8, following the controversy over remarks allegedly made during a master's-level class the previous day. The courses previously assigned to the teacher have been reassigned to other faculty members, according to university officials. 

Department Chairperson Prof Dr Tazin Aziz Chaudhury said the department had discussed the students' concerns and that the matter would be dealt with through the university's formal process. 

The allegations centre on comments allegedly made by Mahboob during a master's class on Wednesday. According to students, she questioned a student's niqab and allegedly told her that she felt “uncomfortable” and “unsafe” because the student was sitting near the front of the classroom. The student was allegedly asked to move to the back, after which she left the classroom. 

Another student, Raisa Moni Sumi, alleged in a social-media post that the lecturer made derogatory remarks about the student's religious practice and referred to her as a “fundamentalist” and “terrorist.” 

Students also alleged that the lecturer suggested the student could potentially commit an act of violence. These allegations have not been independently established.
 
Students subsequently submitted a written complaint to the university administration, seeking an investigation and action over the allegations. 

Pro-Vice-Chancellor (VC-Administration), Prof Mohammed Almujaddade Alfasane, said he had discussed the matter with the department chair after an initial verbal complaint and advised that a formal written complaint be collected and the matter be considered through the appropriate departmental process. 

Pro-VC said the university administration would consider the academic committee's recommendations before deciding on further action. 

The allegations remain unproven. The university is expected to examine the complaints and determine whether any further disciplinary action is warranted.

One editorial caution: I would not use “discriminatory remarks” as an established fact in the headline. “Over alleged discriminatory remarks” is safer and legally cleaner because the underlying allegations have not yet been independently established.

Also, I recommend using “relieved of teaching duties” rather than “relieved” alone, because the current reporting establishes that she was removed from the relevant classes/courses, not suspended or dismissed from the university.