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DUCSU Member Sammitra Chakma

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Viral Videos of Punishment Spark Resignation of DUCSU Member Sammitra Chakma

Sammitra Chakma has announced his decision to resign from his post as an executive member of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) following the circulation of two videos on social media showing him forcing teenagers and young men to perform sit-ups while holding their ears.

The videos, which spread on Facebook over two consecutive days, show Sammitra Chakma carrying a stick and making adolescents and youths perform the punishment at the university’s central playground and inside the gymnasium. Amid widespread criticism, he expressed regret and announced his resignation in a post on his verified Facebook page on Monday afternoon. Sammitra Chakma was elected as a DUCSU executive member from the Islami Chhatra Shibir panel.

On Sunday, a video showing him punishing several teenagers and young men who had come to play at the university’s central field went viral, triggering strong public backlash. Another video circulated on Monday shows him holding a stick, walking around the gymnasium, ordering the youths to perform the punishment, and counting the repetitions.

In his Facebook post, Sammitra Chakma wrote that the playground of the Dhaka University Physical Education Centre is reserved exclusively for university students. He said unrestricted access by outsiders over a long period had turned into a serious security concern. Referring to incidents of harassment of female students, as well as theft of mobile phones, wallets and bicycles by outsiders, he said such incidents not only threaten students’ personal safety but also undermine the dignity and secure environment of an educational institution.

He further stated that despite students repeatedly informing the university administration about the situation, no effective or visible measures had been taken. The Physical Education Centre has not been brought under CCTV surveillance, security has not been strengthened, and no necessary steps have been taken to prevent the entry of outsiders. The administration’s prolonged silence and lack of cooperation, he added, have made the situation more complicated.

Addressing his own conduct, Sammitra Chakma wrote that amid administrative failure and a lack of security, he felt compelled to stop outsiders from entering by making them perform the punishment. However, he acknowledged that this was neither expected nor desirable behavior. Admitting his mistake, he said it was wrong of him to punish anyone in this manner and offered an unconditional apology for the incident.

In the post, he said the decision to resign was entirely personal and not driven by anger or resentment toward anyone. He believes he failed to live up to the expectations of the students who elected him as their representative. Taking responsibility in the context of administrative non-cooperation and failure, he announced his resignation from the post of DUCSU executive member.

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