162 citizens condemn transgender student’s expulsion from Sylhet university
They demand that the expulsion order be revoked and that she be allowed back to class with proper security
One hundred sixty-two citizens have denounced Sylhet Metropolitan University's move to expel a transgender student, Sahara Chowdhury, after a general diary was filed against her allegedly for making death threats to two teachers through a caricature on social media.
In a statement issued today (16 August), the citizens said, "Based on news reports, two caricatures were posted on Facebook from an account named 'Antarctica Chowdhury' on the night of 11 August. The caricatures depicted Dr Mohammad Sarwar Hossain, a teacher at the Independent University of Bangladesh, and Asif Mahtab Utsha, a teacher at Manarat International University.
"Following the posts, Dr Sarwar and Asif Mahtab claimed the account belonged to Sahara Chowdhury, filed a police report against her, and alleged they received death threats."
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In response, Sahara Chowdhury also filed a police complaint against Dr Sarwar, Asif Mahtab and others, citing threats and insecurity, reads the statement.
"We are deeply concerned that for years, a group led by Dr Sarwar and Asif Mahtab has been spreading hate against people of different gender identities. This has made these individuals targets for violence and discrimination, subjecting them to further humiliation and torture. They have also abused their position as teachers to promote hatred and division in society," the citizens said.
They also demanded that Sahara Chowdhury's expulsion be immediately revoked and that she be allowed to continue her studies.
Additionally, they called for the elimination of all existing discrimination against people of different identities within the school.
The statement also urged the state to ensure the constitutional right to individual identity for all marginalised and gender minority individuals. It called for the creation and implementation of a gender-sensitive code of conduct in all educational institutions to protect diversity and foster inclusion.
The citizens also demanded that Asif Mahtab and Dr Sarwar publicly apologise for their continued "insensitive behaviour and for promoting division and hatred in society."
The signatories include Dr Samina Lutfa, a professor at the University of Dhaka; Anu Muhammad, a former professor at Jahangirnagar University; Azfar Hossain, a writer and professor at Grand Valley State University, USA; Manzur Al Matin, a lawyer; journalist Saydia Gulrukh; Siuti Sabur, a teacher at BRAC University; researcher Nasrin Khandaker and Abeda Gulrukh, a lawyer at the Supreme Court of Bangladesh.
