As many as 162 citizens from different classes and professions, who supported the anti-Awami League movement last year and are known as supporters of the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, have strongly condemned the expulsion of trans woman student Sahara Chowdhury of Sylhet Metropolitan University, said a statement on Saturday.
Signed by 109 people, including teachers, researchers, writers, and lawyers, they demanded the withdrawal of the order and Sahara Chowdhury’s safety.
The expulsion of Sahara Chowdhury from the campus is the latest symptom of this violence. Recently, the Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) authorities expelled five students from the residential hall without any due process on the basis of the demands of organised groups for their involvement in so-called โhomosexuality.โ
โDepriving students of their rights based on mere allegations is not only against academic freedom but also a violation of human rights. If school is only a reflection of the opinions and values โโexisting in society, then the role of education as a key to social change is undermined.โ
The statement said that the Yunus regime has failed to show due compassion to people of various cultures, races, and gender identities.
Notably, Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus and his US citizen daughter, Monica Yunus, are linked to a US-based nonprofit, Sing for Hope, which Monica co-founded. This organisation promotes LGBTQ rights.
Yunus is the founding board member of Sing for Hope, according to the website.
In 2012, Yunus publicly condemned violence and discrimination against homosexuals during a speech in Uganda, which triggered backlash and protests in several Bangladeshi cities, including calls for his execution.
Same-sex relations remain a criminal offense in Bangladesh under Section 377 of the Penal Code, punishable by life imprisonment.
Demands of civil society
The citizens sought apologies from Manarat International University teacher Asif Mahtab Utsha and Independent University teacher Dr. Mohammad Sorowar Hossain for their continued insensitive behaviour and for spreading division and hatred in society.
The statement said that all existing discrimination against people of different identities in schools must be eliminated. Moreover, the state must ensure the constitutional right to provide and protect the individual identity of all marginalised and gender minority people.
In addition, all educational institutions (schools, colleges, and universities) must formulate and follow an effective gender-sensitive code of conduct to protect diversity and inclusion.
According to the media reports, on the night of August 11, an account named Antarctica Chowdhury on Facebook published two cartoon caricatures of Dr. Sarwar and Asif Mahtab.
After the caricatures were published, the teachers claimed that the account belonged to Sahara Chowdhury and filed a general diary against her at the Vatara police station on August 13, alleging that they had been threatened with death.
The caption with Sarwar Hossainโs caption reads: โKill public figures who are against your marriage rights.โ
The sketch of Asif Mahtab is drawn with the caption โPlay football with the severed head of public figures who are against your legal rights.โ A picture of two people about to kick a manโs head was in this caricature.
After that, Sahara Chowdhury also filed a general diary against the duo, alleging that she was facing insecurity and threats.
The citizens alleged that for the past few years, a group organised under the leadership of Sarwar Hossain and Asif Mahtab has been continuously spreading hatred against people of different gender identities in the social and political arena, making them murderous.
As a result of this organised propaganda, gender-diverse people are subjected to further humiliation and torture. They have also corrupted the teaching profession by spreading hatred, malice, and division in society.
On August 10, under pressure from organised groups, the Sylhet Metropolitan University authorities expelled Sahara Chowdhury without giving any specific reason.
โWe want to know for what reason Sahara Chowdhury got expelled for life. If she ignores any rule, is her ban for life? Was she given a chance to defend herself before the decision to expel her? Was her mental state, who was constantly threatened by her classmates, considered?โ
The citizens said numerous incidents of violence against people of different gender identities, including arson, murder, injury, public harassment, and stripping, have remained hidden from the public eye in the past year in the Hijra Palli.
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