Bangladesh’s interim government led by Muhammad Yunus is facing mounting outrage after it quietly scrapped plans to recruit music and physical education teachers in primary schools. The move followed threats from Islamist groups such as Hefazat-e-Islam and Islami Andolon Bangladesh, which branded the posts “un-Islamic” and warned of street protests unless the administration replaced arts educators with religious teachers.
The decision, widely condemned as a surrender to hardline pressure, has sparked student protests and accusations of “cultural fascism” against the Yunus regime. Critics say it exposes the so-called reformist government’s hypocrisy and growing dependence on Islamist appeasement.
The original recruitment advertisement for primary schools included four assistant teacher posts -- for general subjects, religion, music, and physical education -- a progressive step aimed at encouraging holistic child development. But the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education later revised the rules and removed music and PE positions entirely.
Defending the rollback, Yunus administration spokesperson Masud Akhtar Khan told Dhaka Tribune that the small number of posts “would not yield effective results.” However, critics say the excuse is merely a smokescreen for religious appeasement.
The backlash was swift and fierce. Students and faculty from Dhaka University and Jagannath University took to the streets on Thursday, denouncing the decision and demanding reinstatement of the removed posts.
At Dhaka University, teachers and students from the departments of music, drama, and dance gathered in front of the Aparajeyo Bangla statue, singing protest songs and chanting slogans. At Jagannath University, students formed a human chain at Sculpture Square and marched across campus, joined by singer Shayan, who urged students to reject the false narrative that religion and music are incompatible.
Protesters argued that removing the subjects would harm children’s overall growth. Azizur Rahman Tuhin, a music teacher at Dhaka University, told The Daily Star, “Civilisation survives on art, literature, and culture. Excluding music will hinder mental and physical growth.”
From the Department of Theatre, Israfeel Shaheen stressed, “A state cannot flourish through religion alone. Culture never opposes religion.”
Nusrat Chowdhury Zafrin from Jagannath University added, “We want melodies to resonate in every educational institution. This is not for personal gain. We must not be silenced.”
Protesters described the decision as a betrayal of Bangladesh’s secular ideals. Shamsul Alam Maruf, General Secretary of Jagannath University Chhatra Front, called the move “cultural fascism” in comments to The Daily Star, accusing the Yunus government of becoming “market-centric at the cost of intellectual and cultural development.”
Adding to the anger, Hema Chakma of Dhaka University alleged that some student union representatives had referred to the national anthem as a “pagan” song. She said, “I reject with disgust the interim government’s efforts to eliminate these subjects.”
The controversy reflects a dangerous trend in Bangladesh’s governance under the army-backed Yunus administration, which was installed after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina in 2024 amid student protests. Since taking power, the interim regime has repeatedly rolled back progressive reforms to appease Islamist factions.
Earlier decisions, such as diluting women’s rights policies, had already raised concerns that Yunus was trading secularism for political survival. With groups like Hefazat-e-Islam growing bolder, critics warn that Bangladesh’s hard-won secular and pluralistic identity is slipping away.
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