DUCSU member Sarba Mitra Chakma announces resignation as video draws backlash

He has been criticised for forcing a group of young boys to hold their ears and do squats

In the face of criticism, Sarba Mitra Chakma has announced his resignation from the post of executive member of the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) in a Facebook post.

On Monday afternoon, he wrote: “I have decided to resign. My decision was not taken out of spite or due to pressure from anyone. There is no point in holding a position where it is difficult or impossible to work."

Sarba Mitra faced backlash after he forced a group of children playing on the Dhaka University field to do squats while holding their ears as punishment.

However, he did not clarify in his post whether he had already submitted his resignation.

In his Facebook statement, he wrote: “The students of Dhaka University elected me with many expectations.

“From the very beginning of my responsibilities, to make the entire campus safe, I submitted different proposals to the administration, including introducing registered rickshaws on campus and restricting vehicles.”

“On the latest issue of the central field, there is not even a CCTV camera, let alone security. Incidents ranging from harassment of female students to theft of mobile phones, wallets, and bicycles happen there almost regularly,” he added.

He added, “Female students complain that because of outsiders, they cannot play on the field and are subjected to harassment.

“The file for repairing the wall adjacent to DMC returned from the administration, and in the meantime, outsiders continue to jump over that wall to enter.”

Explaining the incident involving the children, Sarba Mitra said: “It was last month, when theft and snatching were rampant.

“Even though my method was wrong, due to the administration’s inaction and other factors, I felt that without such strictness, it would not be possible to suppress outsiders and ensure students’ safety at the central field.

“My thoughts have been solely about Dhaka University’s security. I have intervened in various places, alone. I tried to solve problems, even beyond my formal responsibilities.

“But law is law. In fulfilling my duty, I had to go beyond the law as well to deal with situations and ensure security. This has poisoned my personal life and mental state. I no longer have the capacity to continue.”

A video of the central field incident shows Sarba Mitra holding a cricket stump in one hand while forcing several children to perform sit-ups by holding their ears. He is also seen threatening them with the stump if they fail to comply.

Sarba Mitra was elected from an Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed panel in the DUCSU elections. Since taking office, he has faced criticism over multiple incidents.

Last November, he was accused of threatening an elderly man with a stick late at night during an eviction drive against outsiders and footpath vendors on the Dhaka University campus.

Most recently, he became embroiled in a dispute with Chhatra Dal and BAGCHAS (now Jatiya Chhatra Shakti) over allegations of “extortion” on campus.

In a Facebook post on Saturday, Sarba Mitra accused Nurul Gani Sagir of Chhatra Shakti and Abdullah Al Kawsar, joint convenor of the Chhatra Dal unit at Surja Sen Hall, along with several others, of extortion.

He alleged that they allowed others to set up shops in exchange for extortion money and that he had evidence to support his claims.

Rejecting the allegations, Sagir appeared at a press conference on Sunday and said: “If Sarba Mitra can prove the allegations against me, I will voluntarily hold my ears and leave the campus.

“I challenge Sarba Mitra to produce evidence for the extortion allegations he has made against me. If he fails to do so, I will take legal action.”

Leaders and activists of the Chhatra Shakti also staged protests on Saturday night against Sarba Mitra’s Facebook post.