Nadira Yeasmin, an assistant professor of Bangla language at Narsingdi Government College in Bangladesh, has been transferred nearly 270 kilometers away to Satkhira Government Mahila College following a demand from the Islamist group Hefazat-e-Islam. The transfer comes after Hefazat issued a 48-hour ultimatum, accusing Yeasmin of being anti-Islam for her vocal support of women’s equal inheritance rights.
Yeasmin, a prominent women’s rights activist, had written articles in the local magazine Hisya advocating for equal property rights between men and women — a contentious issue in Bangladesh due to Islamic inheritance laws. Hefazat-e-Islam had protested her writings, calling them contradictory to Islamic teachings.
The move to reassign Yeasmin as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD), a position that sidelines her from active academic duties while keeping her on the payroll, has sparked outrage among activists, academics, and civil society groups. Critics say the transfer reflects a growing suppression of women’s voices and freedom of speech in Bangladesh, especially since last year’s mass protests led to political upheaval and the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
In a Facebook post, Yeasmin decried the transfer as a violation of her freedom of expression and questioned the motives behind relocating her to Satkhira, a stronghold of right-wing Islamist groups such as Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. “No force can suppress my voice when it comes to speaking up for human rights,” she said.
Bangladesh Feminist Archives condemned the transfer, stating Yeasmin faced both physical and online intimidation for advocating women’s rights, and that the state should have protected her instead of succumbing to mob pressure. Other civil society leaders echoed concerns about the shrinking space for women’s rights and free speech.
Maleka Banu, secretary general of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, warned that Islamist groups are exploiting the fragile law and order situation to confine women to their homes. The protests last year triggered a power vacuum and law enforcement challenges, emboldening religious hardliners.
Samantha Sharmin of the National Citizens’ Party demanded the government reverse the transfer decision, calling it a surrender to mob violence. Academic Tanveer Hossain Anoy warned that silencing one woman’s voice sends a chilling message to all women daring to speak out.
A Hefazat spokesperson, however, expressed satisfaction that a “solution had been reached” with Yeasmin’s transfer.
Now they are trying to make her homeless. They continue to keep pressure on landlord from the local Musjid Committee. And the landlord gives her warning to leave his apartment.