DU female students protest alleged restriction at Mall Chattar with 'adda' programme
The protest followed allegation that a female student and her friend were stopped by security guards Saturday night and told women were not allowed into the Mall Chattar after 10pm.
A group of female students of Dhaka University staged a symbolic protest Sunday night (28 September) at the Mall Chattar of the campus, after a student was allegedly barred from entering the area around 10pm the previous night by the university's proctorial staff.
Carrying out their pre-announced "adda" programme, the students gathered near the Mall Chattar fountain after 10pm, cut a cake, chatted for a while, and later dispersed.
Speaking at the gathering, Chemon Faria Islam Meghla, student affairs secretary of Chhatra Dal, said, "Security is necessary for everyone, not just women. Anyone can be attacked anytime. Provide security, but don't confine us like caged birds. We reject such curfew-like rules."
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
She added that many students, especially those from outside Dhaka, face difficulties reaching their halls on time as the gates close at 10pm.
Ashrefa Khatun, central spokesperson of Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad, said, "We are simply sitting and chatting here. That should be normal."
The protest followed a Facebook post by Israt Jahan Goyna, a fourth-year student of Disaster Science and Vulnerability Studies, who alleged she and a friend were stopped by security guards Saturday night and told women were not allowed into the Mall Chattar after 10pm.
She later contacted the proctor, who allowed them entry but asked for their ID details and guardian's phone number.
Amid backlash on social media, Proctor Associate Professor Saifuddin Ahmed issued a statement Sunday, calling the incident a "misunderstanding" and expressing regret.
He clarified that no restriction exists on female students entering campus areas after 10pm, and the proctor's office had issued no such order.
The statement added that the administration is working to ensure student safety by restricting outsiders and loiterers, and sought cooperation from all.
