Two 'detained' at DU hall over alleged 'LGBTQ+ links', handed to proctorial body

Two individuals were handed over to the University of Dhaka's proctorial body on Thursday after being 'detained' at Surja Sen Hall over allegations of having LGBTQ+ links, according to hall authorities and student representatives.

The individuals were an office assistant at the Bangladesh Bureau of Educational Information and Statistics (BANBEIS), and a 22-year-old Urdu Department student from the 2022–23 academic session and a resident of Surja Sen Hall.

According to hall authorities, one of them arrived at the hall around noon after allegedly being invited through a location-based social networking application. They said he mistakenly entered Room 560 instead of Room 566, prompting suspicion among students.

Hall representatives claimed the two had been communicating through the app and alleged they were members of the LGBTQ+ community. During questioning, the one who entered the hall was allegedly assaulted by some students, sustaining minor injuries, according to hall sources.

The pair were later taken to the provost's office before being handed over to the university's proctorial team in the presence of the provost and house tutors. Student representatives said the action was taken because they believed such activities were incompatible with the residential hall environment.

Emran Uddin, reading room affairs secretary of the Surja Sen Hall students' council, said the two had allegedly been in contact through the app for some time and that the mistaken entry into another room led to their detention.

Attempts to contact Surja Sen Hall Provost Prof Dr Md Rafiqul Islam for comment were unsuccessful.

The allegations are based on statements from hall authorities and student representatives. The claims could not be independently verified, and no comments were immediately available from either of the two individuals involved.

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