DUCSU scraps botched photos of 6 literary figures after backlash

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) removed photographs displayed alongside the names of six prominent Bangla literary figures at its renovated gallery after questions were raised over their authenticity.

Display titled ‘Some of the Renowned Poets and Writers of Dhaka University’, initially featured names of Palli Kabi Jasimuddin, former DU Bangla department teacher Shaheed Munier Chowdhury, former Bangladesh Academy president Abul Kasem Fazlul Haque, poet Asad Chowdhury, former Chittagong University vice-chancellor Abul Fazal and linguist Muhammad Enamul Haque.

DU Bangla department professor Tariq Monzoor said photographs used for Jasimuddin, Munier Chowdhury, Abul Kasem Fazlul Haque and Asad Chowdhury were not of those individuals. He also questioned photograph displayed under Abul Fazal’s name, while saying the image used for Muhammad Enamul Haque bore some resemblance to him.

Prof Tariq also said, photographs appeared to have been generated or altered using artificial intelligence (AI). He questioned selection of only six figures, saying the list was incomplete given the number of prominent poets and writers associated with the university.

DUCSU, however, denied that photographs had been AI-generated. Liberation War and Democratic Movements secretary Fatima Tasnim Zuma said, images had been collected from internet and that some faces changed during an attempt to enhance their quality for the display.

She said, issue was noticed later and designer was instructed to replace photographs. New images were installed at gallery on Thursday.

Gallery reopened on September 13 following renovation. Changes have also sparked controversy over the display of three photographs of Pakistan’s founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah and other historical figures.