Authorities of a female students’ hall at Rajshahi University on Tuesday withdrew a notice after they had been pilloried on campus and social media for summoning 91 residents of the hall for returning to the hall after the 11:00pm deadline.
On Tuesday afternoon, a fresh notice signed by the at the July 36 Hall of provost, Professor Lovely Nahar, announced the withdrawal, stating, ‘For unavoidable reasons, the notice issued on September 1 regarding late return (after 11:00pm) is hereby cancelled.’
Earlier on Monday, the hall authorities issued a notice, summoning 91 female students for returning after 11:00pm which is the last hour to enter the hall.
The notice, signed by the hall provost, listed the names of the students and directed the first 45 to appear in her office on Tuesday and the remaining 46 at 4:00pm on Wednesday.
The reason for summoning the students cited in the notice was entering the hall after 11:00pm.
It sparked debate among students after the notice was circulated on the social media as some welcomed the step as a disciplinary measure, others strongly criticised it, terming the directive discriminatory and restrictive.
Speaking to reporters, hall provost Lovely Nahar said that the first notice was issued following recommendations of a recently formed committee.
‘Given the current situation, we only wanted to talk to the students for their welfare and safety, not for punitive measures. But as the notice sparked misunderstanding and criticism, we have decided to withdraw it,’ she said.