Abdul Alim Bhuiyan, a student of Dhaka University (DU), has reignited a long-standing debate over discrimination against madrasa students in university admissions. Alim, who ranked 1st in the ‘Gha’ Unit and 35th in the ‘Kha’ Unit in the 2012-13 DU admission test, was denied a place in the Law Department despite high scores in Bangla (27.50/30) and English (22.50/30).
He alleges that he was barred solely because of his madrasha background and holds then Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. A A M S Arefin Siddique and Law Department Chairman Prof. Md. Rahmat Ullah responsible.
According to Alim, 40 madrasa students in the Law Department’s 2012-13 batch were denied admission, despite fulfilling the Bangla and English requirements. This resulted in 53 vacant seats in the ‘Kha’ Unit alone. Overall, 81 seats were unfilled that year, with only 54 students admitted to the 135-seat Law Department.
Various news sources confirm these statistics, showing the discrepancy in seat allocation.
Nearly 12 years later, on Saturday, Match 15, Alim has detailed his grievances In a Facebook post titled "Arefin Siddique and the Chairman of the Law Department, Rahmat in My Eyes". Alim has shared his emotional journey and the pain he endured. In it, he describes himself as a victim of institutional discrimination and reflects on his shattered aspirations.
His post reads, "I was ranked 1st in the ‘Gha’ Unit and 35th in the ‘Kha’ Unit. Despite scoring 27.50 in Bangla and 22.50 in English, I was not allowed into the Law Department. That very year, madrasha students were banned from enrolling in the Law Department."
"That very year, madrasha students were banned from enrolling in the Law Department," he wrote. "I spent sleepless nights dreaming of studying law, but my dreams were crushed."
According to Alim, the rejection led him to question the value of his education at Dhaka University.
"I never opened a single page of a Public Administration book. I never cared about my CGPA because in a country where my achievements held no value, studying felt meaningless."
His struggles extended beyond academics. Alim recalled an unsettling experience at S. F. Rahman Hall, where he tried to secure accommodation through a Chhatra League-affiliated group. However, he was soon warned by friends to leave.
"They told me, 'You studied at Tamirul Millat Madrasha and took coaching at Shibir’s Focus programme. If you stay here tonight, you might be interrogated and beaten in the guest room.'"
Fearing for his safety, he abandoned his belongings and left the hall.
"I called my mother and said, 'Mom, the living conditions here are not good, so I won’t stay.' Then, wiping my tears, I walked away."
Alim insists that his case was not an isolated incident. He claims that for years, madrasa students faced barriers to studying subjects like Economics and Journalism at DU. Although initially unaware of legal options, he later discovered that a writ petition had been filed over the issue.
"One day, a batchmate told me I could file a writ petition for subject rights. Eagerly, I asked how. He introduced me to someone who agreed to help."
Years later, Alim realised that the person guiding him was a leader of Shibir's (Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir) DU unit.
"Through me, they filed the petition and continued their legal battle to ensure madrasha students’ rights."
While Alim never got to study Law, he expressed gratitude to those who fought the legal battle.
"Thousands of madrasha students after me achieved their dreams—thanks to the brave judge from Khoksa, Kushtia (whose name I don’t remember) and his verdict that ensured justice for future students."
NRE/SH
