Caught between two pandemics
According to our study, 17 percent of women experienced physical abuse during the Covid-19 pandemic, 30 percent of them reported mental torture while 34 percent reported no harassment or abuse
Unpacking masculinity in the context of work from home
The Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns have transformed virtually all aspects of work and life everywhere in the world.
Expectations of a post-pandemic patch up
“Ma’am, could you possibly tell me when would the university go back to its usual routine?”
A different kind of new year
Two months earlier, workers on the third floor of New Market in Dhaka were busy dyeing/preparing sarees, mostly white and red, to be delivered to boutique shops ahead of the New Year.
Corona-shaming exposes the fault lines of our society
In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Scarlett Letter, we read about how adulterers had to wear the sign “A” across their chest. We even have examples in local literature and popular culture like the one of Hurmati , from Shahidullah Kaiser Sangshaptak, or that of Rakhee Gulzar’s character in the 1998 hit Indian film Soldier.
‘Tora Amar Ma, Tora Birangana’
I first met Shila Debi at the Jahangirnagar University. She came to attend a photography exhibition on the War of Liberation, arranged by Bangladesh Chhatra Union.
Central admission tests: Turning the wheels too hastily?
The idea of the proposed central admission tests in public universities has been promoted as a fairer, inexpensive alternative to the existing system of university entry.
No confidence vote for the EC
Since the 2015 mayor elections, we have seen a steady decline in voter turnout in elections in Bangladesh.
October 17, 2019
Is banning student politics the solution to campus criminality?
The death of Abrar Fahad epitomises the need for tolerance towards dissenting voices. He is a martyr to the cause of free speech. Employing his brutal death to silence political dissent and to eliminate political rights on campus is wrong. He did not deserve such betrayal.
September 27, 2019
What’s wrong with our university admins?
The last few weeks have been marked by a torrent of revelations about cases of corruption, irregularities and complete subservience to the establishment in the country’s higher education institutions.
August 29, 2019
Rape of males: It’s all about patriarchy
We hear about women getting raped almost every day through newspapers, social media, and sometimes from our friends and family members. Sexual assault on women has become so pervasive that it is hard to come across a victim who is not female. By contrast,
August 9, 2019
Protect languages, protect peoples
The images of indigenous people are exhibited by the Bangladeshi government for various purposes. A video entitled “Beautiful Bangladesh: Land of Stories” and made by the Bangladesh Tourism Board also features the water festival of Marma communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) to attract tourists to Bangladesh.
July 8, 2019
We must protect academic freedom and democracy in universities
“Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above all liberties.” — John Milton in Areopagitica (1644)
May 20, 2019
Has anything changed after Nusrat?
The horrific murder of Nusrat Jahan Rafi, a student of Sonagazi Islamia Senior Fazil Madrasa in Feni, had caused a massive outcry from the public and intensive media coverage.
April 24, 2019
Post-Rana Plaza, what we have achieved and what we haven't
The Rana Plaza collapse, the deadliest garment factory accident in history, carries a moral and political significance.
March 6, 2019
Student movements and the culture of dissent
After a long and agonising wait, we are finally going to witness the election of Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) on March 11.
February 21, 2019
Debasing the memory of Amar Ekushey
Growing up in a coastal town, I have seen people from all walks of life—students, artists, politicians, workers, peasants, and everyday families—participate in social rituals of Amar Ekushey.
January 13, 2019
The silent suffering of mentally ill women
A Prothom Alo online report on January 8 brought our attention to the crime of sexually abusing women suffering from mental illness.
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