The Anti-Fascist Teachers’ Forum, operating under Dhaka University’s BNP-aligned White Panel, has demanded a ban on all activities of the Awami League-aligned Blue Panel and exemplary punishment for teachers accused of acting against students during the July mass uprising. The group submitted a memorandum to Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr A B M Obaidul Islam on Monday, July 27. It alleged that the Blue Panel had damaged the university’s democratic and free-thinking environment over the past decade and a half.

The memorandum accused Blue Panel teachers of publicly opposing student protesters, supporting state repression and describing protesters as pawns of a treasonous conspiracy. It also alleged that some teachers supported the then prime minister, recommended shooting protesters on sight, and supplied CCTV footage to police and Chhatra League to identify and torture demonstrators. These are allegations raised in the memorandum.

The forum also criticized the university administration’s role during the uprising, alleging it failed to prevent an armed attack on students on July 15 and forced students to leave campus after announcing closure on July 17. It called for swift disciplinary action against teachers accused of human rights violations and of taking positions against students.