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Published : 24 Jul 2026, 02:49 PM
A screened-off "female zone" has been introduced for female students at the cafeteria of the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) at Dhaka University, sparking criticism.
The zone was inaugurated on Thursday afternoon by SM Farhad, general secretary of the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU).
New menu items were also added to the TSC cafeteria on the same day.
Asked why there was a need for a separate zone for female students, Umme Salma, DUCSU's secretary for Common Rooms and Cafeteria Affairs, told bdnews24.com: "Many of our female students had requested it.
“We noticed that the DUCSU cafeteria already has a separate room for female students, where anyone who wishes can eat while maintaining Hijab or Pardah [Islamic code of modesty for women.]
"But TSC didn't have such a facility. So, keeping female students' concerns in mind, we simply screened off one table at TSC. This shouldn't be a problem for anyone. Yet a certain group is politicising the issue."
However, Nahiduzzaman Shipon, general secretary of the university unit of the Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), believes the initiative reflects "politics in the name of religion”.
According to him: "If they genuinely wanted to do something for female students, they should have addressed the issues that matter most instead of using Hijab, Pardah, and Islam for political purposes. The first priority should have been improving the female washrooms at TSC.”
"They should have worked on proper sanitation facilities for women. Instead, they are engaging in politics using religion."
Abdul Kader, who contested in the last DUCSU election for the vice-president's post as a candidate of the Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhata Sangsad (now Jatiya Chhatra Shakti), expressed similar views.
Writing on Facebook, the former coordinator of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement said: "At first glance, I consider this a positive initiative because female students who wear Hijab or Niqab and observe Pardah, as well as many other women, often feel uncomfortable or face harassment while eating in public spaces.
“TSC is meant for students of all backgrounds. It is our responsibility to create an environment that is suitable and welcoming for everyone—to make the space as comfortable as possible and remove obstacles.
"However, while DUCSU leaders are creating a screened-off area in the name of ensuring women's safety, dignity, and rights, the same DUCSU has shown little concern over the longstanding problems with the women's washrooms at TSC.
“Female students have complained for years that these facilities are unusable, yet DUCSU has not shown the same level of enthusiasm in addressing those problems as it has in creating this screened female zone."
Kader further wrote: "From the very beginning, DUCSU has appeared to prioritise the interests and concerns of a particular group of people. Whether it's cultural programs or this screened-off area, everything seems to be driven by a particular ideology, while everyone else's concerns are ignored.”
"Women who observe Pardah also suffer because of the poor washroom facilities. Is providing a screened dining area enough? Before elections they speak from behind the veil, but after elections they should move away from attitudes that undermine women. If their intentions are sincere, they need to consider every aspect."
Mixed Reactions from Female Students
Interviews with around 10 female students at the university revealed mixed opinions.
Eight of them said if there had been a genuine effort to address women's concerns, a separate room could have been established instead. They argued that erecting a screened enclosure in TSC creates a form of division—portraying one group as "religious" and everyone else as "non-religious”.
They also believe that introducing such divisions in what has traditionally been an open intellectual space serves a political purpose.
Fahima Rahman, a resident of Shamsun Nahar Hall, said: "Women's problems are endless. There are no proper arrangements to ensure women can move around or stay here comfortably, especially with the presence of outsiders. Nobody is working on those issues. Instead, the focus is on turning the university into a religious institution."
Lutfa, a student of Kabi Sufia Kamal Hall, commented: "Shibir has returned to its old style of politics. Unless everything is Islamised, they are not satisfied.
"One of the women's washrooms at TSC is completely unfit for use. They aren't addressing those issues. Their only concern is promoting religion."
However, two female students welcomed the initiative. One of them, Almina Akter, said: "Many of us want to sit at TSC but can't because we observe Pardah.
"Now at least we'll have a place where we can sit and have a snack. I don't visit TSC very often, but if someone wants to maintain Pardah, I think it's a good thing."
Criticism on Social Media
The initiative has also drawn widespread criticism on social media.
Poet and writer Bratya Raisu said, "Is this cafeteria only for girls who wear Hijab? Of course not. Will girls who wear Hijab stop going to other food stalls because of this? Certainly not.”
"Then why create this screened-off discussion space? Who will hold political discussions there? With whom? About what?"
Novelist and poet Sezan Mahmud wrote, "I have taught at seven universities in the United States and studied at Harvard. I have never seen an achievement like this at any university! Confining women behind screens is now considered an achievement!! Bravo, University of Dhaka!"
Mansura Alam, a reserved-seat member of parliament from the BNP, wrote: "I simply cannot understand why a co-educational institution's cafeteria would need a female zone.
“If we don't speak out today, tomorrow we'll see female zones in the middle of classrooms, and even at Swapan Mama's tea stall.”
"The Jamaat-style thinking they're displaying is just enough to alienate people."
