DU students demand cancellation of sec 57

Following a lawsuit against a Dhaka University teacher, a section of students today demanded cancellation of the Section 57 of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act.

The students came up with the demands after they formed a human chain under the banner “Students of Dhaka University” near the Aparajeyo Bangla in the campus this morning.

A number of teachers also joined the students expressing solidarity with them.

Prof Abul Mansur Ahmed of the mass communication and journalism department on July 12 filed the case against Fahmidul Haq of the same department with Shahbagh Police Station under the section 57 over a post on social media platform Facebook.

Read More: DU teacher sues colleague under section 57 of ICT law

“He [Abul Mansur] has used section 57 over such a trifling issue which could be resolved as per the law of our university. He has set a shameful precedent by this act,” Prof Sadeka Halim, former information commissioner and teacher of Sociology department, said.

“Section 57 is now being used for harassing political opponents. It’s a matter of disgrace as Prof Mansur earlier raised his voice against section 57 but now he is using it for personal purpose,” said Md Tanzimuddin Khan associate professor of International Relations department.

Associate professor Samina Luthfa and assistant professor Debasish Kumar Kundu of sociology department also spoke at the occasion. However, no teacher from mass communication and journalism department attended the programme.