Fact check: Did DU students issue notice to female teachers to wear burqa, hijab on campus?
A controversial notice, asking female teachers of Dhaka University to cover themselves up properly by wearing burqa, hijab and niqab while on campus has been making rounds on social media platforms.
The notice, which states that it was issued by a student organisation of DU namely ‘Odhikar Socheton Sikkharthi Somaj’ has drawn condemnation with many blaming the students for issuing such warnings in violation of human rights.
The notice stated two students’ names – Muhammad Mohiuddin Rahat, a 4th year student of the Criminology Department, who is also the convener of the Odhikar Socheton Sikkharthi Somaj; and Muhammad Yakub Majumder, member secretary of the organisation and 2nd year student of the Physics Department.
When contacted over the matter, Rahat said they did not issue any such notices.
“It’s fake. We did not issue any such notification. This is propaganda. A vested group is behind this,” he told The Business Standard on Sunday night.
He also said his organisation formed a human chain, where they spoke against discrimination for wearing hijab or niqab in various educational institutions.
“We said we are beside those who have been victims of discrimination and oppression, including teachers giving them low marks in exams, due to wearing hijab or niqab in various educational institutions across the country.”
They also published a list of 100 teachers who they alleged were against wearing hijab, said Rahat.