BRAC University clarifies reason for Asif's sacking

FE Team | Published: January 30, 2024 00:08:18

BRAC University has clarified the reason for the sacking of part-time teacher Asif Mahtab Utsha who came to the limelight after tearing pages containing a lesson on the third-gender community in the history and social science textbook for Class VII, reports bdnews24.com.
"The recent act of tearing pages out of a textbook published by the government and asking others to do the same in a public forum is an act of vandalism, a behaviour not supported by BRAC University," said a statement issued by the university on Monday.
Asif tore up the pages containing the lesson 'The Story of Sharifa' in the chapter on similarities and differences between people in the book during a discussion on the new curriculum in Dhaka on January 19. A video of the incident was widely shared on social media.
The story represents the lives of people from the 'hijra and third gender' community but Asif claimed that the inclusion of the tale on transgender people in the textbook would promote 'homosexuality'. So, he tore the pages and urged others to do so.
Amid the debate sparked by the incident on social media, BRAC University said it no longer has a contract with Asif as of January 20. A group of students staged a demonstration in support of Asif.
The education ministry has formed a five-member committee to review the lesson.
The university did not explain the reason for not renewing the contract with Asif at that time but clarified the issue in Monday's statement.
"BRAC University believes, like all great institutions of higher education, its role should be to create space for all views to be discussed and debated constructively, predicated on tolerance and respect. It considers any act of vandalism towards national property as unacceptable behaviour and does not tolerate or support such activities."
Stating the act of tearing a textbook in public as 'non-facilitating teacher behaviour', BRAC University said, "The university therefore cannot offer a part-time teaching contract to Asif for the Spring 2024 semester. However, the university will compensate him for his time and efforts towards his preparatory work."
"BRAC University respects and fully complies with the country's Constitution and laws on all matters. Accordingly, it does not promote homosexuality as has been alleged by some quarters in various social media content," the statement reads.
The university believes in equal rights and opportunities for every single human being to realise their potential, it added.