Yunus Government Bows to Extremists, Cancels Recruitment of Music Teachers in Bangladesh Schools

Digital Desk

The Bangladesh government, led by Nobel laureate and Prime Minister Mohammed Yunus, has withdrawn the recruitment of music and physical education teachers from all primary schools following pressure from radical Islamic groups.

The Ministry of Education issued a notification on Sunday confirming the decision. Masood Akhtar Khan, Additional Secretary of the ministry, said the revised recruitment rules would now include only two teaching categories, removing the posts of music and physical education instructors that had been part of the August recruitment plan.

The move comes after months of protests from hardline Islamic organisations, including Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) and Hifazat-e-Islam (HeI), which argued that music education violates Islamic principles. “Teaching music is against Islam. The government must stop imposing it on children,” said Sajidur Rahman, a senior leader of Hifazat-e-Islam.

Educationists, however, condemned the decision as a regressive step. “The government should have demonstrated that music and religious education can coexist. This retreat only strengthens extremist thinking,” said education expert Rasheda Chowdhury. She added that the policy promotes a Taliban-style ideology reminiscent of Afghanistan’s ban on music in schools.

Hardline clerics had earlier warned the Yunus administration of street protests if music teachers were appointed, claiming such subjects could “divert children from faith.” Syed Rezaul Karim of the Islamic Movement Bangladesh accused the government of “corrupting young minds” through dance and music lessons.

The cancellation underscores the growing influence of extremist groups in post-Hasina Bangladesh. Since Sheikh Hasina’s ouster last year, radical forces, including banned outfits like Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), have resurged. Intelligence sources warn these groups are re-establishing networks across Bangladesh and neighboring Indian states, raising concerns about renewed Islamist radicalization in the region.