Sarba Mitra Chakma Makes Teenagers Do Sit-Ups While Holding Their Ears at DU Central Field

A video showing Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Executive Member Sarba Mitra Chakma Makes Teenagers Do Sit-Ups While Holding Their Ears at DU Central Field forcing several teenagers who had come to play to do sit-ups while holding their ears, with a stick in his hand, has spread on social media. The video has since sparked widespread discussion in various quarters.

The video, which went viral after Sunday (January 25) evening, shows a group of teenagers who had come to play at Dhaka University’s Central Field being made to do sit-ups while holding their ears. During this time, Sammitra Chakma is seen advancing toward them holding a stick.

After the video spread on social media, extensive debate began over the incident. Many netizens shared the video and expressed criticism and anger over Sammitra Chakma’s actions.

In connection with the incident, DUCSU Literary and Cultural Affairs Secretary Musaddiq Ali Ibne Mohammad wrote on Facebook that he strongly condemns the incident in which DUCSU Executive Member Sammitra made a group of people do sit-ups while holding their ears at the Central Field.

Regarding the incident, Abidur Rahman Mishu, Member Secretary of the Chhatra Dal unit of Dhaka University’s Masterda Surya Sen Hall, wrote on Facebook: “Now Shibir’s domesticated DUCSU member Sammitra Chakma has taken the proctor’s responsibilities into his own hands and is making children do sit-ups while holding their ears. Their crime is coming to play on the university field. If the children had committed any wrongdoing, the responsibility to judge them lies with the university administration. This is a sample of Shibir’s system of rule. This is what they are doing by capitalizing on even this small amount of power.”

Sarba Mitra Chakma won the DUCSU election as a candidate from a panel backed by Islami Chhatra Shibir.

Attempts were made to contact him by phone to get his comments regarding making children do sit-ups while holding their ears, but he did not answer.

However, in a Facebook post, he defended himself, writing: “No need to clarify. I am sharing the comments of those who have lost mobile phones and money bags while coming to play at the Central Field, and of female students who have been harassed.

“They have been repeatedly told not to come here, yet they continue to ignore the administration’s decision and come here, and while climbing over the wall they throw stones at staff.

“Despite repeatedly informing the administration, they have shown reluctance to repair the wall, and files keep getting returned. That day, a show-cause notice was issued to the guard.”