Dhaka , 5 January, 2024 

Dhaka University (DU) has clarified that only applicants with gender diversity by birth are eligible to apply under its undergraduate transgender/hijra quota, introduced by the Academic Council in the 2022–23 session. Applicants must submit a hijra identity card issued by the Government’s Department of Social Services (Gazette No. Socom/Karma-1/Hijra-15-2013-40) to establish eligibility. Who changed their biological sex and  identify as trans men/trans women but are not recognized as “Hijra” by the state, they will not be eligible to apply on it anymore.

The confirmation came in a notice circulated on Thursday by the university’s Public Relations Office. Deputy Director Mohammad Rafiqul Islam said the clarification was issued to dispel confusion that arose after a student letter dated December 21, 2023 questioned the quota’s scope.

“In order to remove this confusion, the Dhaka University authorities clearly state that… only students with gender diversity by birth can apply for admission under the transgender/hijra quota,” the notice said.

The statement follows weeks of campus debate. On December 21,islamist right wings transphobic students formed a human chain demanding removal of the word “transgender” from DU’s admission notice and later submitted a memorandum to the Vice-Chancellor. At a subsequent briefing, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. ASM Maksud Kamal said the term “transgender” in the notice refers to the hijra community. Student demonstrations, including sit-ins, continued as the administration convened a meeting on the issue; Thursday’s notice formalizes the university’s position.

Source: Desh Rupantor