Social Media Stir Surrounds Comment on Newly Appointed BCB Director Rubaba Dowla Matin

The National Sports Council (NSC) on Monday, 3 November, officially confirmed the appointment of Rubaba Dowla Matin as a Director of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). On the same day, she took part in her first board meeting as the newly appointed female director.

Shortly afterward, actor Irfan Sajjad made a Facebook post featuring Rubaba Dowla’s photograph, writing, “If the boys still fail to perform after this, then there is no hope.”

However, the post drew backlash from a section of netizens, who labeled the remark as suggestive and inappropriate. One Facebook user, Tunazzina Sikder Tuna, publicly protested by sharing a screenshot of the post with a strong response. In the caption, she wrote:

“Mr. Irfan Sajjad, kindly ask your news presenter wife and any sister you may have whether they would feel comfortable hearing remarks like the one in your caption at their workplace.”

She further added:

“Secondly, I do not know whether your colleagues accept such jokes casually. Even if they do, you must understand there is a fine line between humor and vulgarity. Those who are witty are considered civilized by society. But those who make jokes of this nature are regarded as ill-mannered and vulgar, and perceived as unsafe for women. I hope you will come to your senses.”

She concluded by urging him to “publicly apologize for the inappropriate language and refrain from sexualizing women in such a manner in the future.”

The post did not go unnoticed by Irfan Sajjad. Responding in the comment section, he stated:

“I do not know how well you know me. I always consider myself a very ordinary person and a big fan of Bangladesh cricket, just like everyone else. If you look at my posts, you will see I often share sarcastic remarks about Bangladesh cricket’s poor performance. This was also meant to be humorous. Rubaba Apa is my crush. I welcome her joining the BCB. I meant that if such a beautiful and talented person joins the board and still the players cannot find motivation, then what more can be expected.”

He went on to say that, since many people had misunderstood the post, he would remove it.

“No matter what I do, the public will react. That is how social media works. But since many have taken it negatively, I am taking the post down,” he wrote, requesting others to refrain from spreading hatred without understanding context.

Subsequently, Irfan Sajjad deleted the controversial post from his Facebook profile.