Islamic University (IU) students disrupted a meeting of the 2024-25 academic year admission committee on Tuesday, protesting the participation of pro-Awami League teachers. The students, affiliated with the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, accused the teachers of supporting authoritarianism and demanded their exclusion from the meeting. The incident occurred at 12 PM in the administration building’s third-floor meeting room, attended by the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Pro-VC, and Treasurer.

As the meeting began, students confronted the pro-Awami League teachers, labeling them as "collaborators of autocracy" and chanting slogans like "Down with the agents of dictatorship." Under pressure, the teachers left the meeting room. When they attempted to exit the administration building, students chased them, shouting, "Catch the collaborators, catch the agents." The teachers were eventually escorted out with the help of the university’s proctorial body.

The students continued their protest as the teachers boarded vans to return to their respective departments. They followed the vehicles, chanting slogans and demanding accountability. Later, students warned Shahidul Islam, chairman of the Human Resource Management Department, not to return to the campus starting Wednesday. Shahidul, a prominent pro-Awami League figure, has been accused of opposing student movements and making inflammatory social media posts in support of the ruling party.

Students allege that these teachers actively opposed the July 2023 student movement, which protested against discrimination and authoritarian practices. On August 4, 2023, pro-Awami League teachers, under the banner of the Shapla Forum, organized a march on campus, labeling the student movement as "anarchic activities." Shahidul Islam has continued to post pro-Awami League content on social media, further angering students.

Tanvir Mondal, co-coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, stated, "During the previous Awami League regime, Chhatra League cadres targeted teachers affiliated with the Zia Parishad and Green Forum. However, we do not wish to take similar actions against the pro-Awami League teachers who opposed the July movement. We want them to acknowledge their mistakes and return to their routine duties. But if they continue to uphold their previous political stance, we will be forced to take strict measures."

Proctor Dr. Shahinuzzaman commented, "When students objected to the presence of pro-Awami League teachers in the meeting, we peacefully escorted them out to maintain order." Vice-Chancellor Dr. Nokib Mohammad Nasrullah emphasized the university’s commitment to academic discipline, stating, "The majority of teachers at IU are pro-Awami League. Even if we wanted to exclude them, it would be impossible to maintain academic order. However, discussions have been held in the latest syndicate meeting about holding those who opposed the student movement accountable."

The protest highlights ongoing tensions at Islamic University, where students are increasingly vocal against perceived political bias and authoritarian practices. The incident underscores the challenges of balancing academic governance with political neutrality in Bangladesh’s higher education institutions.