Staff Reporter :
The authorities of BRAC University has clarified that it does not endorse homosexuality and believes in equal rights and opportunities for every single human being to realize their potential.
The university has also characterised the actions of Asif Mahtab Utsha, a former part-time employee who has since been dismissed, as an ‘act of vandalism towards national property’ for tearing two pages from a book and encouraging others to do the same.
In a statement issued on Monday, the university made clarified it when everyone was waiting for a reply from them about their stance on ‘transgender’ issue and the dismissal of Asif mahtab.
“BRAC University respects and fully complies with the country’s constitution and laws on all matters. Accordingly, it does not promote homosexuality as has been alleged by some quarters in various social media content,” the statement said.
Recognising the rights of all, it said, “The University believes in equal rights and opportunities for every single human being to realize their potential.”
BRAC University believes, like all great institutions of higher education, its role should be to create space for all views to be discussed and debated constructively, predicated on tolerance and respect, it said.
“The University believes in the exchange of ideas through dialogue,” it added.
Regarding the action of Asif Mahtab, it said, “The University considers any act of vandalism towards national property as unacceptable behavior and does not tolerate or support such activities.”
The reason behind not supporting Asif Mahtab’s action, it said, “The recent act of tearing pages of a textbook published by the Government of Bangladesh, included in the national curriculum for students enrolled in 7th grade in schools, and asking others to do the same in a public forum, is an act of vandalism, a behavior not supported by BRAC University.”
Regarding the continuing of his job, BRAC said, “The University, therefore, cannot offer a part-time teaching contract to Asif Mahtab Utsha for the Spring 2024 semester.”
However, the University will compensate Utsha for his time and efforts towards his preparatory work for Spring 2024, it concluded.
