A video has surfaced on social media showing Sarba Mitra Chakma, a member of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu), forcing several underage children to perform squats while holding their ears at the university’s central playground.
In the viral footage, Chakma is seen reprimanding the children. Eyewitnesses reported that more than 32 children, the majority of whom were under the age of 18 and residents of areas surrounding the campus, were playing at the far end of the field.
At the same time, several departments, including the Department of Economics, were conducting practice matches on another part of the ground. Chakma was observed to intimidate the children with a cricket stamp and a pipe while forcing them to undergo the punishment.
The video was recorded on 6 January at 4:44pm. Two additional videos obtained by TIMES of Bangladesh also depict the children being repeatedly forced to do squats. An unidentified individual in a jersey was also seen accompanying Chakma during the incident.
The incident has sparked significant outrage among leaders of various active student organisations at the university. They have described the act as a direct violation of human rights and child abuse under both national and international law.
According to Article 35(5) of the Constitution of Bangladesh, the Children Act 2013, and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, any form of physical or humiliating punishment against children is strictly prohibited.
Md Saifullah, the social welfare secretary of the Haji Mohammad Mohsin Hall Sangsad, condemned the act, stating that the children’s only “offence” was playing on the central field.
He remarked that the incident was not only an abuse of power but also made the university a laughingstock. He further questioned whether the university administration or the proctorial team had authorised a Ducsu leader to deliver such physical punishment.
Abidur Rahman Misu, member secretary of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal at Masterda Surja Sen Hall, called upon human rights organisations to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure justice. He emphasised that such actions are unacceptable under any legal framework.
Ducsu Literary and Cultural Secretary Musaddiq Ali Ibn Muhammad issued a formal condemnation of Chakma’s actions. He stated that regardless of the gravity of an offence, there is no moral right to punish anyone with a stick.
He further reminded Chakma that his role is strictly that of a student representative and he must not take the law into his own hands. He emphasised that the responsibility of a DUCSU leader is to inform the proctorial team, as the administration alone holds the authority to issue punishments.
Despite multiple attempts to contact him, Sarba Mitra Chakma could not be reached for comment.
