The authorities of Jahangirnagar University (JU) yesterday temporarily expelled eight students, all of them leaders and activists of JU unit Bangladesh Chhatra League, over the sexual harassment of an indigenous female student of the university.
University’s Registrar Abu Bakr Siddique confirmed the matter to Dhaka Tribune yesterday.
JU Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof Dr Farzana Islam saidthe students have been expelled temporarily over the sexual harassment butthe names of accused are to be withheld until the allegations are proven.
On the night of Pohela Boishakh (Tuesday) five JU unit BCL leaders and activists harassed the first year botany student.
Students of the university immediately protested the assault and demanded punishment of the culprits while the victim submitted a written complaint to the proctor’s office.
JU Proctor Dr Tapan Kumar Saha said the case was then forwarded to the university’s anti-sexual harassment cell.
When contacted, JU anti-sexual harassment cell chief Prof Dr Rasheda Akhter told journalists that they had received the complaint and would launch an investigation as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, JU unit BCL on Wednesday temporarily suspended some five leaders and activists in the university, sources said.
However, protesting teachers and students under the banner of “Shikkhok Shikkharthi Oikyomoncho” declared to hold a human chain and an assembly today at 11am. They also demanded that the university expel the guilty students for lifetime, file a criminal case against the culprits, and ensure adequate security to the victim.
JU philosophy department teacher Rayhan Rhyne said they would meet the VC and submit a memorandum to her in this regard after the demonstration today.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
