Several former Dhaka University students have alleged that they were harassed and forced to leave Shahidullah Hall while watching a FIFA World Cup match, after hall authorities objected to the presence of a woman among them.
The victims claimed that Md Saju Mia, the hall’s Social Service Secretary who was elected from the Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed panel, formed a mob around them and asked them to leave.
In a Facebook post, victim Mohtasin Billah Emon said six people, including a couple, went to the hall to watch the France-Norway match on Saturday. They entered after signing the register at the gate.
When questioned by students, they identified themselves as former DU students. According to Emon, they were then told, “On what logic are you bringing a girl to a boys’ hall to watch a match?”
More students soon surrounded them, including Saju Mia. One individual introduced as the hall’s sports secretary reportedly said, “If the hall students take your photos and post them on the hall group with abusive comments, would that be good?”
Saju Mia then told them, “A woman cannot stay here. You must leave,” the victims claimed.
The victims said they wanted to discuss the matter with seniors but were not given the opportunity. Their photos and videos were taken, and they were threatened with circulation on the hall group.
Later, those involved in organising the World Cup viewing told them that the accused were not part of the arrangement.
Denying the allegations, Saju Mia said he did not harass the woman. “At midnight, a woman coming into a residential hall is something that people with common sense would not take well. First, they were asked to leave through the hall staff. Later, I went and made the same request,” he told TIMES of Bangladesh.
He claimed the match had not started at that time, and there was no written directive or special permission from the hall administration regarding women’s entry during the World Cup. He said social media claims about the matter were incorrect.
However, Shahidullah Hall Provost Md Aminul Islam Bhuiyan said no such ban was imposed by the hall administration.
He said, “A giant screen has been arranged for students of three halls. Both male and female students from other halls can come and watch the World Cup matches there.”
