Massive student and teacher protests erupted across Dhaka University and Jagannath University after the Yunus-led interim government scrapped the posts of music and physical education teachers in public schools. The move came after Islamist organisations like Hefazat-e-Islam and Islami Andolon Bangladesh denounced such subjects as “un-Islamic” and threatened street protests unless the government prioritized religious education.
The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education had initially announced vacancies for general, religion, music, and physical education teachers—an effort seen as a progressive step toward holistic education. However, following Islamist pressure, the revised notification quietly dropped the posts for music and PE teachers. A government spokesperson claimed the decision was due to the “limited impact” of such roles, but critics view it as blatant capitulation to conservative clerics.
Outrage quickly spread through academic circles. Students and faculty from Dhaka University’s departments of music, drama, and dance gathered near the iconic Aparajeyo Bangla statue, singing protest songs and demanding reinstatement of the posts. At Jagannath University, students formed a human chain at Sculpture Square, calling the policy a betrayal of Bangladesh’s cultural roots.
Azizur Rahman Tuhin, a music teacher, said removing art and music from schools would harm children’s mental and emotional growth. “Civilisation thrives on art, literature, and culture. Without them, a nation loses its soul,” he added. Other educators, including Israfeel Shaheen and Hema Chakma, accused the Yunus administration of surrendering to “cultural fascism” and endangering the country’s secular spirit. Protesters declared that culture does not oppose religion but sustains the nation’s identity.
Observers warn that this episode is part of a broader trend of political appeasement since the 2024 ouster of Sheikh Hasina. The army-installed Yunus administration has been accused of repeatedly bowing to Islamist demands, including reversing women’s rights reforms. The protests highlight a deeper struggle for Bangladesh’s secular identity and the question remains whether the government will defend cultural freedom or continue yielding to extremist pressure.
