DIU teacher suspended over Gaza protest threat

The authorities of Daffodil International University (DIU) have temporarily suspended Tahmina Rahman, a lecturer in the Department of Journalism, Media and Communication, after she threatened to mark students with double absences if they skipped class to join the “Global Strike for Gaza” campaign.

Professor Syed Mizanur Rahman Raju, Director of External Affairs and university spokesperson, confirmed the suspension on Monday.

Syed Mizanur said that Tahmina Rahman has been temporarily suspended as an immediate measure. Following the university's procedures, she will be permanently suspended from her position. 

According to sources, students from various universities across the country had declared a "No Work, No School" campaign in protest of the ongoing genocide and destruction in Gaza by Israeli occupation forces, and in solidarity with the oppressed Palestinians.

As part of this initiative, students of DIU’s journalism department decided not to attend classes on Monday. In response, lecturer Tahmina Rahman allegedly warned students via a group message that they would receive double absences if they missed class. A screenshot of her message later circulated widely on social media, drawing heavy criticism.

Although Rahman issued an apology on her Facebook account late Sunday night, expressing regret for her actions, the university authorities suspended her the following day amid mounting public backlash.