Social media has emerged as a new source of concern for women teachers and students at Dhaka University, with several recent incidents of cyberbullying leaving victims frustrated over what they describe as a slow administrative response.
Multiple allegations have been raised against a Facebook group called “Dhaka Bisshobidyaloy Shikharthi Songshod,” where several “bot IDs” or fake accounts have repeatedly targeted women teachers and students with different ideological views.
Sociology Professor Samina Luthfa filed a general diary at Shahbagh Police Station on 15 May after facing cyberbullying from this group.
In her complaint, she said most members of the group’s admin panel are not DU students and alleged that the platform was being used to serve the interests of a specific political party.
Luthfa says she submitted a copy of the GD to Vice Chancellor Niaz Ahmed Khan, but no action has been taken so far.
“As a university teacher and a Senate member nominated by the president, I have still not received any resolution to the matter. How will ordinary students get justice?” she said, speaking to TIMES of Bangladesh.
Committees revived, but complaints mount
The university restructured its sexual harassment investigation committee on 26 June as part of wider measures to prevent sexual harassment, bullying, and ragging. The committee has so far received at least seven to eight formal complaints.
But Professor Upama Kabir, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology and the committee’s convenor, said the number of new complaints has increased significantly in recent weeks.
“Perhaps earlier the issue was not visible to everyone, but now it is reaching a wider audience. We are trying our best to resolve pending complaints as quickly as possible,” Kabir added.
The DU administration also formed another five-member committee to prevent bullying and ragging.
Committee Convenor Shahnaz Huda, a professor at the law department, said she has not yet received any formal complaint. Huda added that bullying-related complaints are first submitted to respective faculties before being forwarded to the committee.
Administration’s stance
Speaking to TIMES of Bangladesh, Vice Chancellor Professor Niaz Ahmed said, “Committees on cyberbullying had long remained inactive but have now been made reactive with highly skilled members following High Court directives.
“We formed a women abuse prevention cell earlier, and now a more powerful committee has been established with people capable of understanding the technical aspects, because cyberbullying is a specialised issue.
“Ongoing investigations are being handled professionally, though limited resources mean wider cooperation is essential,” he said.
Students say the complexity of existing procedures discourages them from filing complaints of sexual harassment or bullying, as cases often take a year or more to investigate. Some say they avoid complaining to escape further trouble.
Long delays in resolution
Professor Luthfa said any complaint submitted to the vice chancellor, pro-vice chancellor, or proctor first go through the Syndicate before reaching the inquiry committees, causing much delays in resolution.
Students say cyberbullying is not merely an online attack, but one that undermines academic safety and freedom of expression.
DU teacher and Assistant Proctor Shehreen Amin Monami filed a case under the Cyber Security Act at Shahbagh Police Station on 3 November, accusing individuals of distorting her photos and posting obscene comments on Facebook.
Rokeya Hall Chhatra Dal joint convenor Sakiba Sultana Bonna said she was harassed on social media after sharing her hall committee list. Her father commented “Congratulations” on the post, but she said the responses that followed were deeply abusive.
About a year ago, student Tajfiha Ukhrose went to the proctor’s office with a sexual harassment complaint. She said she was told to file it with her department instead. “A committee was formed, but there has been no progress in a year.
She said another teacher recommended a different procedure, but the process seemed too long and complex. “It felt like the case would remain unresolved even after I complete my degree.”
Biplobi Chhatra Maitri DU unit convenor Nuzia Hasin Rasha alleged that the continuous online attacks on women were politically motivated and that protests against such attacks are “selective.”
She added, “Women who challenge patriarchy or refuse to serve its interests are being targeted with tagging, insults, and online bullying to silence them. The same group is taking positions selectively for some women who remain within that patriarchal structure.”
Identifying perpetrators a challenge
Assistant Proctor Dr Muhammad Rafiqul Islam said, “DU authorities had discussed the ‘Dhaka Bisshobidyaloy Shikharthi Songshod’ group several times before the Ducsu poll, but could not reach a decision due to mixed reactions from students.
“The platform is becoming increasingly toxic and many users posted abusive comments anonymously, making it difficult to identify perpetrators.”
He said the administration would soon hold discussions with stakeholders to ensure safety and freedom of expression for teachers and students on social media.
