Bangladesh academics protest expulsion of transgender student
Trans student Sahara Chowdhury was expelled after criticizing transphobic professors
Activists and activists are protesting the Aug. 13 expulsion of a transgender student from Sylhet Metropolitan University in northeastern Bangladesh.
Safwan Chowdhury Rebel, also known as Sahara Chowdhury, had been accused of posting caricatures of two other universities’ officials on Facebook under a pseudonym on Aug. 11. She has, in turn, accused the professors of issuing threats against her.
The following descriptions of the controversy from the Bangladeshi newspaper New Age and from the activist group JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) have been modestly edited:
162 citizens condemn expulsion of transgender student
A total 162 citizens, including academics, activists, journalists, and artists, issued a joint statement on Saturday condemning the recent expulsion of a transgender student named Sahara Chowdhury from Sylhet Metropolitan University.
They termed the decision as unjust and discriminatory and demanded the university authorities revoke the expulsion order of Sahara.
Referring to reports published by different media houses and in social media posts, the statement said that a complaint was filed against Sahara following posting two caricatures on a Facebook account named “Antarctica Chowdhury,” claiming that the account was owned by Sahara. It was also claimed that Independent University, Bangladesh teacher Mohammad Sorowar Hossain and Manarat International University teacher Asif Mahtab Utsha received death threats.
Sahara also lodged a complaint with police citing threats and insecurity from Sorowar, Utsha, and several others, read the statement.
The statement expresses grave concern that a group led by Sorowar and Utsha had systematically spread hatred against gender-diverse communities in Bangladesh, portraying them as killable and untouchable for past few years.
They also accused the group of spoiling the teaching profession by using their identity as teachers to spread hatred, enmity and division in society.
The Sylhet University authorities expelled Sahara on August 13 under pressure from organised groups, without giving any specific reason, stated the statement.
The signatories raised some questions — On what grounds was Sahara expelled? Was she given a chance to defend herself before such a severe punishment?
They also raised a four-point demand, including immediate withdrawal of the expulsion of Sahara and assurance of equal opportunities for gender-diverse students in educational institutions, and constitutional recognition and protection of the distinct identities and rights of all marginalised gender and sexual minorities.
The demands also included the adoption and enforcement of effective gender-sensitive codes of conduct across all educational institutions to ensure diversity and inclusion, and public apology from Sorowar and Utsha for their repeated insensitive behaviour and for spreading hatred and division in society.
The signatories of the statement included former Jahangirnagar University professor Anu Muhammad, Grand Valley State University professor Azfar Hussain, Dhaka University professor Samina Luthfa, lawyer Manzur Al Matin, and Bangladeshi journalist Saydia Gulrukh.
JMBF expresses deep concern and outrage over the lifetime expulsion of transgender female student Sahara Chowdhury from Sylhet Metropolitan University
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has expressed deep concern, anger, and strong protest over the lifetime expulsion of transgender female student Safwan Chowdhury Rebel, also known as Sahara Chowdhury, from Sylhet Metropolitan University on 10 August. The expulsion was carried out under pressure from organized groups solely on the basis of her gender identity and sexual orientation, without any specific reason being provided.
JMBF believes that this decision is not only unjust and discriminatory, but also contrary to the Constitution of Bangladesh, existing laws, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Depriving a student of the right to education based on gender identity or sexual orientation constitutes a violation of fundamental rights.
Facts in Brief: On the night of 11 August, two cartoon caricatures targeting Mohammad Sarwar Hossain of Independent University Bangladesh and Asif Mahtab Utsha of Manarat International University were posted on a Facebook account named “Antarctica Chowdhury.” Following this, both teachers claimed that the account belonged to Chowdhury and that they had received death threats, filing a general complaint at the police station.
Meanwhile, Sahara Chowdhury also filed a complaint with the police against Sarwar, Utsha, and several others, citing threats to her safety.
However, shortly thereafter, the authorities of Sylhet Metropolitan University expelled her for life under pressure from organized groups, without presenting any specific reason or evidence.
“This unethical and discriminatory treatment of Sahara Chowdhury sends a troubling message across the educational and human rights sectors of Bangladesh. Denying access to education for people of diverse genders and sexual orientations is unacceptable. We strongly hope the university authorities will immediately revoke this expulsion and ensure that such discrimination does not recur,” says JMBF’s Chief Advisor Robert Simon.
“Limiting a student’s fundamental rights solely on the basis of gender or sexual identity is highly condemnable. The right to education is protected under Bangladeshi law, the Constitution, and international treaties. We expect the state and university authorities to take exemplary action for this discriminatory treatment against Sahara Chowdhury and to establish an independent inquiry committee to ensure justice,” says Shahanur Islam, Founder President of JMBF.
JMBF calls for:
- Immediate revocation of Sahara Chowdhury’s expulsion: This expulsion is discriminatory, unjust, and contrary to the rule of law. Depriving a student of education without evidence or a valid reason is a clear violation of fundamental human and constitutional rights. The expulsion must be annulled, allowing her to resume her studies.
- Ensure impartial investigation and exemplary punishment against discriminatory groups: Those who exerted organized pressure influencing the university authorities must be identified and strictly dealt with according to the law. If a culture of impunity persists, people of diverse genders and sexual orientations will face greater discrimination and violence in the future.
- Formation of an independent judicial inquiry committee: For a fair and transparent investigation, it is crucial to establish an independent judicial inquiry committee under the supervision of a High Court division judge. Only an impartial and transparent investigation can uncover the truth and ensure justice.
- Ensure educational rights and safety for all gender and sexual minorities: It is the constitutional and ethical duty of the state and educational institutions to provide all students with a safe learning environment. No student should be subjected to discrimination based on gender, sexuality, or identity. Priority should be given to drafting and implementing anti-discrimination policies across universities and other educational institutions.
- Enact legislation for the rights and protection of sexual minorities: The state must ensure that people of diverse genders and sexual orientations can live safely in society without facing discrimination or violence. This law is essential to protect the rights of students, employees, and citizens.
- Increase awareness and implement policy reforms: The government, university authorities, and society must work together to ensure gender and sexual minorities can live with equal rights and dignity. Textbooks, training, and policy reforms should raise awareness of human rights and diversity among teachers, students, and administrators.
JMBF firmly believes that it is the moral and constitutional responsibility of the state of Bangladesh and its educational institutions to provide a safe and discrimination-free educational environment for every student, regardless of gender, sexual identity, or belief.
JMBF stands in solidarity with Sahara Chowdhury and continues to monitor the situation closely.
