Facing a backlash from different quarters, the barbers’ organization in Tangail’s Bhuiyanpur upazila has withdrawn its controversial self imposed ban on local youths from getting “fancy or impudent” haircuts.
Bhuiyanpur Upazila Shil Samity on Friday night decided to backtrack on the ban, after Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Jhotan Chanda saw media reports on the matter and intervened.
Both Jhotan and Shil Samity President, Shekhar Chandra Shil, on Saturday evening, confirmed the latest decision to the Dhaka Tribune.
Earlier this month, the barbers’ organization, at the request of Bhuiyanpur police station Officer-in-Charge (OC), Md Rashidul Islam,, had banned all sorts of “impudent or deviant” haircuts, including half-shaved and faux-hawk.
It had also threatened a Tk40,000 fine for disobeying the ban, which quickly drew much flack from various quarters, including on social media.
Also Read- No more ‘fancy’ hairstyles for Tangail youths
UNO Jhotan said he discussed the matter with OC Rashidul on Friday and found out that the ban and the fine was imposed following a misunderstanding.
“Then I met with the barber leaders and asked them to withdraw the ban,” he said.
Shekhar, however, added that barbers would continue to not give any “impudent” haircuts to local youths.
The youths also started getting “normal” haircuts since the fiasco, said local barbers.
OC Rashidul said that, previously, he requested barbers to stay away from giving the youths such haircuts as many local parents and teachers had lodged verbal complaints with him against them.
“When that did not work, the barbers’ organization issued that notice and I signed it. But after the move and the fine were questioned, I too urged them to withdraw the ban,” he added.
The notice imposing the ban, with the OC’s signature, was hung in every barbershop in the locality earlier this month. The barbers started taking them down on Saturday after the Shil Samity withdrew the ban, following the upazila administration’s order.
Shekhar, however, added that the barbers would continue to not give any “impudent” haircut to the local youths.
The youths also started getting “normal” haircuts since the fiasco, said local barbers.
OC Rashidul said that, previously, he requested the barbers to stay away from giving the youths such haircuts as many local parents and teachers had lodged verbal complaints with him against them.
“When that did not work, the barbers’ organization issued that notice and I signed it. But after the move and the fine were questioned, I too urged them to withdraw the ban,” he added.
The notice imposing the ban, with the OC’s signature, was hung in every barbershop in the locality earlier this month. The barbers started taking them down on Saturday after the Sheel Samity withdrew the ban following the upazila administration’s order.
