When Dhaka University students logged into the university’s online portal to complete their profiles this week, many were surprised to find an unfamiliar requirement: a box asking for their “caste or sect.”
The profile could not be completed unless the information was provided, leaving students and teachers questioning why a public university needed to collect such details.
After being questioned by TIMES, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Mohammed Almujaddade Alfasane initially said the university had not introduced the option. After being shown evidence of the feature, he called officials and instructed them to remove it.
The incident has now raised a bigger question: who added the option and why?
The university’s IT cell could not provide an answer. An official there said introducing such options was not within its authority and that student profile issues were handled by the Controller of Examinations’ office.
An official from the Controller of Examinations’ office, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the online system was developed by transferring information from the previous manual form.
“During website development, we transferred the system online exactly as it was in the manual form. We ourselves do not know which information is required and why. We kept all the functions that were present in the form, thinking that all information should remain available for any legal requirements of the university,” the official said.
The inclusion of a caste-related category has drawn criticism from academics, who say such identification has no place in a modern university system.
The Oxford Dictionary defines caste as a system of dividing society into groups based on social class, ancestry, rank or wealth.
Professor of Anthropology Zobaida Nasreen told TIMES that collecting caste or racial identity information to identify students was unacceptable.
“Seeking information on caste or racial characteristics to identify students at a university is completely undesirable. It creates opportunities for division in educational institutions, spreads discrimination and creates scope for bias and ambiguity within the institution,” she said.
Professor of Mass Communication and Journalism Gitiara Nasreen said attempts to bring back caste or racial classification in the 21st century were wrong.
“The Constitution prohibits discrimination based on religion, race, community and ethnicity and ensures equal rights and protection for all citizens. Therefore, I am surprised why knowing someone’s caste identity has become necessary at a university,” she said.
Students also questioned the need for such information.
Political Science student Ummi Maimuna said she was angry and disappointed by the university’s approach.
“I do not think there is any need for this in the modern era,” she said.
English Department student Tahsan Alif said a student’s merit and equality should be the only identities recognised in an educational institution.
“Merit and equality should be the main identities in educational institutions. Adding options such as ‘caste’ or ‘community’ to any official portal is unnecessary. It could create unwanted divisions,” he said.
Before ordering the removal of the option, Professor Alfasane told TIMES that he was unaware of its inclusion.
He acknowledged that such a category should not exist at a university.
“I never want such divisions,” he said.
Dhaka University Central Students Union member Md Shahinur Rahman also said the student body was unaware of the matter.
He said Ducsu had neither requested the university administration to introduce such an option nor held any discussion with the administration about it.
