Bangladesh school principal fired for being gay
Justicemakers Bangladesh calls for a fair investigation and suspension to be revoked
In August, a principal in the Bangladeshi city of Kurigram was suspended from his job after allegations surfaced that he is gay, part of a growing fundamentalist crackdown on educators they consider to be pro-LGBT.
Below is a lightly edited statement from Bangladeshi advocacy group JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France condemning the suspension and calling for a full investigation of the allegations.
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the suspension of Haroon Or Rashid Milan, principal of Kurigram Collectorate School and College. This decision represents a troubling trend toward targeting individuals based on unproven accusations related to their sexual orientation rather than any substantiated evidence of misconduct.
On August 25, 2024, Milan was suspended following large-scale protests initiated by students and supported by teachers due to allegations he is homosexual. The suspension occurred shortly after an interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus assumed power on August 8, following the resignation of the former prime minister on August 5, 2024.
The protests were driven by allegations involving inappropriate conduct with students. Teachers also voiced grievances, accusing him of mistreating both students and staff and using physical intimidation against those who challenged his authority or questioned his management of school funds.
The highly charged protest was orchestrated by certain groups reportedly affiliated with fundamentalist agendas. Such groups seem intent on promoting a narrow ideological view and undermining diversity, inclusion, and the rule of law within educational institutions.
“Suspending an educator on the grounds of his alleged sexual orientation, without conducting a thorough, unbiased investigation, sets a dangerous precedent. It threatens the principles of fairness and due process in a society that aspires to uphold justice,” says Robert Simon, a prominent French LGBT rights activist and Chief Adviser of JMBF.
JMBF believes that the demonstrations on August 25, led by students and teachers and purportedly patronized by conservative groups, reflect an alarming trend of fundamentalism creeping into public institutions. This suspension appears to be not only a capitulation to mob pressure but also a tactic to intimidate and purge those whose identities or orientations differ from a narrowly defined norm.
JMBF asserts that in a democratic society, no individual should face professional consequences solely based on personal identity or orientation, especially when accusations remain unverified. The hasty decision to suspend Principal Milan, made without a comprehensive investigation, not only undermines his rights but also weakens the integrity of our educational institutions.
“This incident echoes a broader pattern of actions targeting educators and other professionals under the guise of moral or religious justification under the present interim government led by Muhammad Yunus,” says Shahanur Islam, founder and president of JMBF.
“In the wake of the former government’s resignation, numerous educators have been pressured to resign, further evidencing a disturbing shift toward intolerance and an erosion of personal freedoms. Such actions disregard the right to privacy and individual identity, fostering a climate of fear that discourages qualified individuals from serving in educational roles—a role that should be safeguarded from political or ideological bias,” Mr. Islam says.
JMBF calls on the relevant authorities to rescind this suspension immediately and initiate a fair, transparent inquiry that respects due process, thereby reaffirming their commitment to justice, inclusivity, and the principles upon which an equitable society is built.
Furthermore, JMBF asserts that this act of fundamentalism, if left unchecked, risks eroding the core values of our society and turning our educational institutions into platforms for ideological control. JBMF calls on society to resist these pressures and uphold the right of every individual to live and work free from discrimination and coercion.
JMBF is closely monitoring the situation of LGBTQI+ individuals in Bangladesh and remains committed to advocating for justice and equality.
