Dhaka University probes harassment allegations against Shahidullah Hall student leaders
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Six former students of Dhaka University have filed a formal complaint with the university proctor alleging they were harassed while watching a football match at the Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah Hall ground last Friday. The complainants, including former student Muhtasin Billah Emon, stated that they had followed standard procedure by registering their names at the hall entrance before entering the premises to watch a match between Norway and France.
According to the complaint, the group was approached by a number of current students, including hall union social welfare secretary Md. Saju Mia, who demanded they vacate the field. The complainants allege that they were subjected to aggressive behavior and verbal harassment, specifically regarding the presence of a woman among their group. Emon detailed in a social media post that despite identifying themselves as former students, they were told by the hall union members that they had no right to bring a woman into a male residential hall.
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Saju Mia has denied the allegations, characterizing the interaction as a civil request for the group to leave given the late hour. He stated that hall staff had initially approached the group, and he intervened only after the individuals refused to comply with staff instructions. He categorically denied speaking directly to the woman in the group and accused the former students of using the names of influential political figures to threaten those who approached them.
The incident has drawn significant attention from campus groups, with the student wing of the BNP, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, submitting a memorandum to the hall provost, and the Revolutionary Student Unity (Biplobi Chhatra Moitri) issuing a statement condemning the behavior. Proctor Israfil Ratan confirmed that an assistant proctor has been tasked with investigating the matter, promising subsequent administrative action based on the findings.
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Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah Hall Provost Professor Md. Aminul Islam Bhuiyan emphasized that student union members do not have the authority to forcibly remove visitors from the hall grounds. He clarified that such administrative decisions remain solely within the jurisdiction of the hall authorities. As of Saturday, Hall Union General Secretary Toukir Hasan stated that no formal internal complaint had been filed with the union, precluding any immediate disciplinary action on their part.
The incident has sparked a wider protest, with a group of female students, including the vice president of the Sufia Kamal Hall union, Sanjana Chowdhury Ratri, announcing plans to gather at the Shahidullah Hall field to watch a match on Sunday. The group intends to use the event to protest the alleged harassment and demand stronger institutional protections against mob culture and exclusionary behavior on campus.
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