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🇧🇩 Bangladesh /Culture & Society

Students demand action over alleged harassment; university authorities yet to make a decision regarding the incident

From Daily Star · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Students at Dhaka University clashed with activists from two opposing groups amid protests demanding the provost's resignation over alleged harassment.
  • The protest began after a student accused the provost of summoning him to his office, confiscating his phone, and pressuring him to keep the incident confidential.
  • University authorities have not yet announced a decision regarding the allegations, while the dispute between student groups threatens to overshadow the original demand for justice.

A dispute over alleged harassment at Dhaka University escalated into a clash between activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir early today. The confrontation occurred outside the Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall office, where students were protesting and demanding the resignation of the hall's provost.

The protest began around 9 p.m. yesterday after Md Ibrahim, a student of the Department of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering, alleged he was summoned to the provost's office for a social media post about hall issues. Ibrahim claims his phone was confiscated, he was confined, and pressured to sign a confidentiality statement.

Dr. Md Elias Al Mamun, the provost, denied the allegations, calling them "completely false and made up." As the protest continued, activists from both JCD and Shibir gathered, with JCD leaders questioning Shibir's involvement and accusing them of instigating a confrontation. Ducsu Literature and Culture Secretary Mussadiq Ali Ibne Mohammad accused JCD activists of attacking students.

The allegations against me are completely false and made up.

— Dr. Md Elias Al Mamun, Provost of Fazlul Huq Muslim HallThe provost denied the harassment allegations made by a student.

Hall union Vice-President Khandaker Abu Naim and General Secretary Imam ul Hasan were reportedly injured. Ibrahim expressed concern that the inter-group conflict could derail his pursuit of justice. Students demanded CCTV footage of the alleged incident, but it had not been provided by 2 a.m.

Around 3 a.m., university proctorial team members intervened and escorted the provost from his office. Dhaka University authorities have yet to announce any decision regarding the allegations.

I am being deprived of justice because of this.

— Md Ibrahim, studentThe student expressed frustration over the escalating dispute between student groups potentially overshadowing his case.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Daily Star in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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