Photos mistakenly used for 6 literary figures at Ducsu archives replaced after backlash

Dhaka University Central Students' Union authorities replaced a controversial display at the Ducsu archives, featuring incorrect photographs of six prominent poets and writers, following widespread public criticism yesterday (17 September). 

A verification revealed that the photos used for Jasimuddin, Munier Choudhury, Ahasan Habib, Abul Kasem Fazlul Huq, and Asad Chowdhury were not of those individuals. 

Sources also confirmed that the image used for Abul Fazal did not belong to him. Only the photo of Muhammad Enamul Huq had some resemblance to his actual appearance.

The display paired photographs with the names of folk poet Jasimuddin, martyred academic Munier Choudhury, former Bangla Academy president Abul Kasem Fazlul Huq, poet Asad Chowdhury, former vice-chancellor Abul Fazal, and linguist Muhammad Enamul Huq. 

When asked whether the photos depicted the respective literary figures, Tariq Manzoor, a professor in the Bangla Department at DU, said, "Not at all. The images displayed above the names of Jasimuddin, Munier Choudhury, Abul Kasem Fazlul Huq, and Asad Chowdhury do not belong to them at all." 

"The picture of Abul Fazal should not be his either; the bearded Abul Fazal we know looks completely different," he said. 

"Only Muhammad Enamul Huq's photo slightly resembles him. However, every single image appears to have been generated using AI," he added.

The professor also raised questions regarding the selection of the six literary figures.

"The list framed under the title 'Some of the Renowned Poets and Writers' is severely incomplete. The list of prominent writers is so extensive that it is practically impossible to accommodate everyone on a single wall," he said.

"Therefore, hanging photos of only a select few was inappropriate," he added.

Addressing the issue, Ducsu officials stated that the photos were originally collected from the internet. 

However, during the design phase, attempts to enhance the image quality altered the facial features of several individuals, they added.

Fatema Tasnim Jhuma, Ducsu secretary for liberation war and democratic movement affairs, told The Business Standard, "When handed over to the designer, two or three photos changed while trying to enhance the quality, which happens when AI is involved."

When asked whether AI was explicitly used, Jhuma clarified, "They were not created with AI from scratch. All photos were sourced from the internet. The changes occurred while attempting to enhance their resolution."

"There were many photos together, so we did not notice it initially. Once I noticed the issue the other day, I immediately raised concerns with the designer. He sent revised images, which were printed and installed today," she added.