Bangladesh university condemned as students reportedly expelled and handed to police over alleged homosexuality

Haji Mohamad Danish University of Science and Technology has been criticized by advocacy groups for its treatment of students (Image: Haji Mohamad Danish University of Science and Technology)

A Bangladeshi engineering college has reportedly expelled four students on suspicion of homosexuality and handed over two others to the police, sparking criticism in court. statement By Justice Makers Bangladesh (JMBF) in France.

“When educational institutions try to control private lives, personal relationships, and sexual identities, they cease to be places of education and humanity, and instead become tools of oppression. This must stop immediately,” said JMBF Chief Counsel Robert Simon.

JMBF said the incidents took place on May 16 and May 19 at Haji Mohammad Danish University of Science and Technology (HSTU) in Dinajpur.

What JMBF says happened

JMBF announced that on May 19, university authorities detained two students from the nearby Mahabalipur area on suspicion of homosexuality and handed them over to local police.

Additionally, university authorities announced on May 16 that four students from the Faculty of Fisheries and the Faculty of Finance and Banking had been temporarily expelled due to allegations of homosexuality at the nearby Haven City Student Dormitory.

JMBF said the official order signed by Registrar Professor Dr. Abu Hasan stated that the students’ actions tarnished the image of the university and amounted to “immoral activities” under Article 15 of the Student Discipline Ordinance.

Professor SM Emdadul Hasan, Director of Student Counseling and Guidance; said the expulsion was carried out.d If the student complies with the request of another student and the charges are proven through investigation, permanent expulsion will be imposed.

Dr Nausha Wang, a university professor, said: “We have a zero-tolerance policy against this social degradation. Immediate action has already been taken against the accusers following the accusations.”

Rights concerns and broader context

JMBF said these actions are a violation of the Bangladesh Constitution, existing laws, human rights and fundamental civil liberties.

Bangladesh is a socially conservative country, and LGBTQ+ people face significant prejudice and safety risks. Same-sex sexual activity has historically been criminalized by colonial-era legal provisions, contributing to fear of reporting and vulnerability to harassment.

Bangladesh also has a community of Hijras, transgender people who identify as neither male nor female. Hijras have been officially recognized as a third gender since 2013, and since 2018 Hijras have been able to use the third gender option when registering to vote. In 2021, Nazrul Islam Ritu made history by becoming the first trans mayor in the country.

JMBF also pointed to a previous incident in which university authorities detained one university student and one university applicant from a rented house in the same area on January 19 and handed them over to the police.