250 university teachers condemn online 'incitement to murder' of two academics

A total of 250 teachers from different universities and medical colleges have issued a statement condemning what they described as a "disturbing incitement to murder two academics", calling for legal action against the individual involved.

The statement, released today (17 August), expressed "deep concern and condemnation" over recent posts on social media allegedly inciting violence against Dr Mohammad Sorowar Hossain, associate professor at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB), and Asif Mahtab Utsha, lecturer at Manarat International University.

According to the teachers, "an individual named Safwan Chowdhury Rebel, who operates a Facebook account under the name 'Antarctica Chowdhury,' publicly incited the murder" of the two faculty members. 

They said the account displayed "gruesome and inhumane images" of severed heads and mutilated body parts alongside language directly inciting murder.

"This action is not only a threat to personal safety but also a grave danger to the social stability, rule of law, and freedom of expression in the country," the statement read, adding that such incitement constitutes a criminal offence under Section 26 of the Cybersecurity Ordinance 2025 and Section 503 of the Penal Code of 1860.

The teachers noted that both Sorowar Hossain and Asif Mahtab subsequently filed General Diaries at police stations following the threats. They called for a "proper investigation and justice."

Highlighting the background of the two faculty members, the statement described Sorowar Hossain as a "renowned writer, social worker, and internationally recognised researcher" involved in public health initiatives on thalassemia, dengue, and childhood obesity.

Asif Mahtab was referred to as a "courageous faculty and popular speaker" active in the Road Safety Movement, the Quota Reform Movement, and the 2024 mass uprising.

The teachers said the incident was "deeply alarming and entirely unacceptable in a civilised society," warning that a failure to take action could lead to unrest among university students and destabilise the country.

The statement also noted, "Safwan Chowdhury Rebel, who identifies as a transgender individual under the name Sahara Chowdhury, was a fourth-year student in the English Department at Metropolitan University, Sylhet. Following the public murder incitement, and at the request of regular students of the university, he was expelled for life from the university. This is a positive step, but not enough. Rapid legal action against this extremist terrorist is essential."

The signatories urged the authorities to "immediately bring the identified offender under the law and ensure exemplary punishment so that no individual or group gains the courage to engage in such heinous acts in the future."

Of the 250 teachers who signed, 50 were from Chattogram University, 16 from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, 15 from the University of Dhaka, 14 from Bangladesh University of Textiles, 12 from Jahangirnagar University, 7 from Jagannath University, 4 from Bangladesh Agricultural University, 2 from Buet, and 12 from various medical colleges.

The complete list of signatories is available on the website www.mullobodh.com.