“Oborodhabashini,” a platform of female students, has demanded the complete withdrawal of the “evening curfew” imposed on female students of Dhaka University (DU), along with round-the-clock security on campus.
At a press conference held at Rokeya Hall on Thursday, the platform completely rejected the university administration’s decision to partially or temporarily relax the curfew, terming it a “farce.”
Organising Secretary of DU Biplobi Chhatra Moitri Israt Jahan Emu, Member Secretary of DU Samajtantrik Chhatra Front Aditi Islam, and a student of Department of Theatre Tanzila Islam spoke at the press conference.
Female students from various academic years of the university were also present.
According to the speakers, the platform has been running a continuous movement since 30 July to press home their three-point demands.
On 9 August, a memorandum signed by more than 1,200 students was submitted to the vice-chancellor, which was followed by a specific ultimatum issued to the administration from a solidarity rally on 10 August.
However, ignoring all demands, the administration proposed to ease the evening curfew by just nine hours, a move the students termed “disrespectful and compromising.”
Highlighting the discriminatory structure operating under the guise of safety, they pointed out that while male students enjoy 24-hour free movement on campus, female students are restricted to only 16 hours.
For the remaining eight hours, the administration evaded its primary responsibility of ensuring security of female students under the pretext of the curfew, which they described as a form of institutional discrimination.
The speakers also criticised the harassment of students at hall gates and the so-called “undertaking” culture.
They said that if a student enters her hall after the scheduled time or needs to go out during an emergency at night, she is forced to sign a written undertaking mentioning that “the administration will bear no responsibility.”
The administration, which is established to ensure security, is practicing such a culture to avoid its accountability for the safety and rights of students, they added.
Furthermore, they alleged that women’s access to various campus facilities and open areas is being restricted.
Unfair and discriminatory time limits have been imposed on female students’ movement in several locations, including indoor games, gymnasium, and Curzon Hall premises, creating institutional barriers for women in an institution meant for the practice of free thought.
The students emphasised that they are not seeking any special favour or partial relaxation. Instead, as adult citizens, they demand the right to 24-hour free movement and round-the-clock security on campus.
Announcing that their protests will continue until their demands are met, the platform declared that they would hold sit-in programmes, street rallies, and various hall-based activities in the coming days.
