Student anarchy: Vice-principal’s forced resignation leads to tragic death in Bangladesh

Sanjoy Kumar Barua

In a heart-wrenching tragedy, SM Ayub, the former acting principal of Hazera-Taju Degree College in Chattogram, has passed away following a devastating heart attack, triggered by months of relentless emotional torment.

On September 24, a group of students cornered Ayub inside the college campus, subjecting him to public humiliation and forcing him to resign.

The traumatic event caused him to collapse on the spot, and those close to him believe the psychological scars of this moment directly led to his fatal heart condition.

On Saturday morning, November 23, at around 10 a.m., Ayub suddenly fell gravely ill.

Rushed to Evercare Hospital in Chattogram, he was declared dead just an hour later, at 11 a.m.

His wife, devastated by the loss, was heard repeatedly lamenting, “My husband died because of the students at the college.”

Ayub, a dedicated Chemistry teacher from Banshkhali, had been a beloved figure at Hazera-Taju College, where he had served for years.

He had lived with his wife and two children in the Chandgaon area.

.The loss of his untimely passing has left the local community, his esteemed colleagues, close friends, and devoted students profoundly shaken.

Imtiaz, a former student of Ayub, expressed his sorrow, “Ayub Sir was an exceptionally kind and respected teacher. What some students did to him after the leadership change was nothing short of cruel and unjust. Even after his resignation, he was subjected to further harassment.”

“In the name of protest, fanatic students have brutally taken the life of our beloved Sir. We are rising in unwavering defiance, demanding swift and exemplary punishment for those responsible ”, he added.

Hazera-Taju Degree College, established 34 years ago, is a respected institution that serves over 5,000 students.

Founded by Nurul Islam BSC, a former minister and philanthropist, the college has long been known for its political neutrality and high academic standards in Chittagong.

Despite this reputation, the institution has been facing intense turmoil since the fall of the Awami League government in August 2024.

A faction of students, supported by outsiders, launched a campaign to destabilize the college, demanding salary cuts, teacher resignations, and other reforms.

On September 24, this unrest culminated in a deeply disturbing scene.

The protesters stormed the college, trapped Ayub in his office, and forced him to resign under duress.

In the tense standoff, Ayub was coerced into signing a resignation letter, and at one point, a knife was reportedly held to his back as a threat

.The intense stress proved too much for him, and he collapsed from a heart attack.

Even after the resignation, the harassment continued.

The incident raises serious questions about the growing instability at Hazera-Taju Degree College and the failure of the administration to protect its staff and maintain a peaceful academic environment.

Ayub’s death is a stark reminder of the devastating effects of workplace harassment and the need for institutional accountability to prevent such tragedies in the future.

In the aftermath of the Sheikh Hasina-led government’s fall on August 5, Bangladesh’s education sector has been plunged into chaos.

At least 180 teachers from institutions nationwide have been compelled to resign under intense pressure, raising alarm over the safety, dignity, and independence of educators in a politically charged environment.

Sources reveal a chilling pattern of coercion, where educators, many highly respected in their communities, were subjected to public humiliation, intimidation, and even physical threats.

Orchestrated by politically motivated groups and student factions, these resignations signal a deliberate strategy to purge the education system of dissenting voices and replace them with individuals loyal to the emerging political landscape.

This alarming trend has sent shockwaves through Bangladesh, as academic institutions—long regarded as sanctuaries of impartiality—are increasingly entangled in the nation’s shifting political dynamics.

Critics warn that this assault on educators not only undermines their fundamental rights but also jeopardizes the integrity of the country’s education system, risking long-term damage to its credibility and independence.