Dhaka: Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) executive member Sarba Mitra Chakma has announced his resignation from his post following widespread criticism over a viral video. The video, which surfaced on social media, showed several youths being forced to perform squats while holding their ears at the Dhaka University central field.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Sarba Mitra Chakma addressed the situation in a Facebook post on Monday afternoon. He stated that he was elected by the students of Dhaka University with high expectations and had made several proposals to the administration to enhance campus security. These proposals included introducing registered rickshaws on campus and restricting vehicle movement to ensure safety.
In his post, Sarba Mitra highlighted the lack of CCTV coverage and adequate security at the central field, which had led to various incidents ranging from harassment of female students to theft of mobile phones, wallets, and bicycles. He mentioned that female students had complained about their inability to use the field due to harassment by outsiders. Furthermore, he alleged that a proposal to renovate the wall adjacent to Dhaka Medical College was returned by the administration, allowing outsiders to continue entering the campus.
Sarba Mitra explained that the video, which showed outsiders being made to do ear-hold squats, appeared on social media last month during a period of increased theft and robbery incidents. He admitted that his approach was wrong but argued that administrative stagnation made it difficult to ensure student security without strict measures.
He emphasized that his primary concern was the safety of Dhaka University students and that he had attempted to find solutions independently, even extending beyond his official duties. However, he acknowledged that his actions went beyond legal boundaries, affecting his personal life and mental state. Consequently, he felt unable to continue in his role, stating, “There is no point in holding a position where it becomes difficult or impossible to work.”
The video of the incident went viral on Sunday, leading to widespread criticism across various platforms.