Asif Mahtab Utsha was relieved from Brac University as a part-time teacher for criticizing a story on gender-diverse populations in the seventh-grade history and social science textbook and tearing off the book while speaking at a discussion in mid-January.
The video of his remarks went viral on social media, triggering heated debate as to whether the content is factually correct and suitable for teenagers. Academics and social scientists say the contents of the chapter, which highlight gender issues—not sexuality—have created a misunderstanding among readers. The government later formed an investigation committee to look into the matter.
Now, the debate has resurfaced after Asif Mahtab posted a video on his Facebook profile on Monday, alleging that Bandhu Social Welfare Society, a development organization, had worked for the inclusion of the chapter in the textbook for the socialization of gender diversity. He also asked people to protest the initiatives by Bandhu.
The next day, Asif Mahtab led a group of protesters outside the office of Bandhu Welfare Society to protest against gender equality, an issue the organization is known for advocating, and live-streamed the event on Facebook. The protesters held banners protesting Bandhu’s operation in Bangladesh. Asif Mahtab also made inflammatory remarks about the organization.
During the protest, Bandhu officials and others were trapped inside the building.
Later, the police intervened to quell the situation. Bandhu also filed a general diary with the Ramna police station in this connection.
What Bandhu says
Ruhul Robin Khan, media and communications specialist of Bandhu Social Welfare Society, said that Asif Mahtab did not have a clear idea about the difference between hijra and transgender.
“A major operation of the organization is advocacy. So we advocate on the issues of gender equality, but we don’t have any authority to impose anything. The NCTB is a government entity; they are not following what Bandhu wants.”
Khan said that it was the NCTB that incorporated the story into the textbook, while the Social Welfare Department drafted the Transgender Persons Protection Act.
“On Tuesday, they surrounded our office. Earlier, they shared Bandhu's report and posted it on Facebook with various research findings. They also shared our office’s location through Google Maps and asked people to attack the office as ‘enemies of the country’,” he said, adding that the comments from the public were offensive.
Another official of Bandhu, seeking anonymity, said: "Bandhu has been promoting gender equality and advocating for reproductive health and rights, including gender-diverse communities, for the last 26 years. People in Bangladesh still do not know much about gender diversity. As a result, the story of Sharif-Sharifa is being misinterpreted. Here, religion is being capitalized and used as a tool.”
Asif Mahtab’s comments on the issue
However, Asif Mahtab told Dhaka Tribune that what Bandhu is trying to promote is that Hijras and transgenders are the same population.
He said if a person identifies psychologically as a different gender from their physical one, they can undergo surgery to change it. “Bandhu is attempting to promote this Western culture in our country.”
He added: “If you see their recent television interviews and their reports, you will understand. As a result of their agenda, the people who actually belong to the Hijra community are suffering. The government is providing facilities for Hijras. But it is not reaching them because of those who are deliberately changing their genders.
“Now efforts are being made to promote it through books. You saw what happened on January 19, but I spoke to the police, education professionals, and Islamic experts about it six months ago. I asked them to talk about it, but they did not say anything. So I protested from my place.”
About Asif Mahtab’s comments, Bandhu official Khan said: “We are not a diagnostic center to promote medical transformation." We are a development organization that works as a partner with the government. The projects we implement are approved by the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Social Welfare, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and other related authorities.
“We try to ensure health facilities, economic well-being, and social inclusivity for all people, irrespective of gender and sexuality.
“It is very clear that Asif Mahtab came to Bandhu when he failed to grab the attention of related authorities. Bandhu does nothing except advocacy. So, his actions are done deliberately for his benefit.”
Khan said: “He is ignoring the existence of a group of the most vulnerable people who are citizens of this country. Nobody can transform anyone's self-realization and natural action. Can Asif Mahtab wear a saree, bangles, and lipstick in exchange for money or by any provocation? Is it possible for him? I know this is a very ordinary example, but it will help a philosopher like him to realize this fact.”
How it began
On January 19, Asif Mahtab participated in a seminar on the new education curriculum held at the Institute of Diploma Engineers in Dhaka's Kakrail.
A video of him tearing pages out of the textbook containing the story circulated widely on social media. He claimed that students were being brainwashed by these stories in the seventh-grade textbooks.
On January 24, a five-member probe committee was formed by the Ministry of Education to analyze the story amid widespread discussion and criticism across the country.
Later, on January 29, Brac University said it was not offering Asif Mahtab a new contract and disabled the email he used.
