Dhaka, Dec. 9 -- A Rajshahi University teacher has come under fire after branding Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain, a pioneer of women's rights, an "infidel" in a social media post.

Khandaker Mahmudul Hasan, an associate professor of the university's physics department, made the controversial post on Facebook on Tuesday as the country marked Begum Rokeya Day.

"Today is the birthday of the apostate, infidel Begum Rokeya," he wrote.

The post quickly went viral, drawing public backlash.

Former student SM Atiq commented under the post, "The 5th of August, 2024, has given us freedom of speech. Thanks to this, physics teachers can now also issue fatwas [religious decree]."

Zayid Hasan Joha, cultural editor of the Rajshahi University Central C...