A video showing minors being publicly punished by making them hold their ears and perform sit-ups at the central playground of University of Dhaka has triggered widespread criticism, placing Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) executive member Sarba Mitra Chakma at the centre of the controversy.
After the footage spread on social media, many raised concerns over human rights, legality and ethics. Facing mounting criticism, Chakma expressed regret in a Facebook post and announced his decision to resign from his position as a Ducsu executive member.
The circulated videos show Sarba Mitra Chakma forcing several children at the university’s central playground to hold their ears and do sit-ups. In multiple clips, he is also seen advancing towards the children while holding a stick.
Following the circulation of the videos, many described the incident as public physical and psychological humiliation of children. Critics said it amounted to a serious violation of human rights.
In recent months, Sarba Mitra has faced multiple allegations, including involvement in “mob violence”, “interference in administrative affairs” and violations of child rights law, linked to incidents of alleged physical abuse during operations against hawkers and the removal of so-called “outsiders”.
DU Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed told TIMES that Chakma had no authority to do what was seen in the videos, adding that a Ducsu member cannot impose such punishment.
He said a show-cause notice had been issued to Chakma with the vice-chancellor’s approval and that a decision would be taken after receiving his response. He also noted that resignation would not allow anyone to evade the judicial process.
Ducsu Literature and Culture Secretary Mosaddeq Ali Ibne Mohammad said no final decision had yet been taken and that any decision would be communicated through the Ducsu general secretary.
However, he described Chakma’s Facebook post announcing resignation as an emotional reaction, saying he did not believe there had been any action warranting resignation. “Unless it is submitted in writing, Facebook posts or statements are not a matter for our consideration.”
Legal experts said that as the children seen in the videos are under 18, the incident constitutes a direct violation of the Child Rights Act. Advocate Saidur Rahman said that forcing children to hold their ears and do sit-ups is a criminal offence and that police can make arrests without a warrant in such cases.
Article 35(5) of the Constitution of Bangladesh states that no person shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment or treatment. The treatment of the children in this incident, experts said, clearly falls within cruel, inhuman and degrading conduct.
In Writ Petition No 5684 of 2010, and through subsequent directives in 2011, the High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh clearly declared all forms of physical and mental punishment of children, both inside and outside educational institutions, to be completely prohibited. Any violation of this directive constitutes contempt of court.
Touhidul Haque, an associate professor at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research at the University of Dhaka, said the incident had undermined not only the law but also the university’s humanitarian values, adding that no offence justifies humiliating punishment.
Sarba Mitra could not be reached for comments despite several attempts.
In a Facebook post issued in response to the allegations, he expressed regret and offered an unconditional apology. He claimed that although the central playground is designated for students, unrestricted access by outsiders for a long time had created security risks, including incidents of harassment of female students, theft and other forms of abuse.
“I acknowledge that I should not have punished anyone in this manner and I am seeking unconditional forgiveness,” he wrote, adding that he had decided to resign as a Ducsu executive member. “This is my personal decision and not one taken out of anger or resentment towards anyone.”
