Controversy Erupts as DUCSU Member Forcibly Evicts Elderly Man from Campus; Leader Apologizes and Withdraws from Field Operations
A video showing a member of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Executive Committee attempting to forcibly evict an elderly man with a stick has gone viral on social media since Tuesday night (November 4th).
The video shows Sarbo Mitra Chakma, a DUCSU Executive Member, holding a stick and attempting to remove an elderly man—who was standing on the footpath with his bundle of belongings and a crutch—from the street near the Central Library. Members of the University’s Proctors’ Team were also present during the incident.
The video, filmed during an eviction drive against illegal vendors, pedestrians, and drug addicts on campus, sparked widespread criticism on social media. Following the backlash, Sarbo Mitra Chakma posted on his Facebook profile, announcing that he would not participate in such field operations in the future.
Details of the Viral Video
The video was posted on Facebook on Tuesday night by a DU student named Aminul Haque Ovi, who labeled the action as the work of a “newly Shibir-nominated administrator.” The footage was captured on the footpath opposite the campus’s Burn Unit.
The video shows Chakma attempting to snatch the elderly man’s belongings while admonishing him: “I am removing [you] after a meeting, take these [things].” A member of the Proctorial Team then took the stick from Chakma and hit the elderly man’s bundle several times. The old man reacted, crying out, “I will die!” Chakma again grabbed the stick and threatened the elderly man, “Will I see [you] here again?” to which the man replied, “No, father.”
Public Reaction and Chakma’s Explanation
The video’s immediate virality led to intense debate and criticism on social media. While many condemned Chakma’s behavior—with one student commenting, “It wouldn’t be wrong to call them thugs”—others defended him, arguing that drug addicts must be disciplined.
Facing heavy criticism, Sarbo Mitra Chakma posted an explanation on his Facebook page:
• Justification: He claimed the elderly man was a drug addict who repeatedly returned to the campus despite being evicted multiple times.
• Force Justified: Chakma argued that using a stick was necessary to remove the man, as he repeatedly returned. He also stated his personal desire to see the campus free from drug addiction.
• Addressing the Video: Chakma complained that the person who posted the video incorrectly identified the location as the “Burn Institute,” potentially spreading the idea that the incident happened off-campus.
• Role Clarification: He stated that while such eviction drives are solely the responsibility of the administration, he felt obligated to participate as a DUCSU member.
Conclusion and University Response
Chakma concluded his post by announcing, “I will no longer be on the field, but I will continue to work on campus security.” He also alleged that his political opponents were using the issue for political gain.
Meanwhile, Rafiqul Islam, Assistant Proctor of the university, stated that the Proctors’ Team had not involved DUCSU in the eviction drive in any way, and the operation was conducted entirely under the administration’s responsibility.
