Rajshahi University authorities are investing a compliant of sexual harassment against a teacher of zoology department submitted by 23 students.
According to the complaint, students from the 43rd batch recently went on a study tour to Cox’s Bazar and Bandarban. During the visit, Prof Abdus Salam allegedly sexually harassed several of the female students.
Victims informed the other teachers who also accompanied them during the trip about being sexually harassed. The accused teacher then threatened to give the students diminutive marks in their exams if they proceeded to speak to others about the incident.
The students submitted formal complaints to the department chairperson, university unit of Mahila Parishad when they returned from the trip; the committee to resist sexual harassment was formed by the administration.
Prof Salam, however, denied the allegations saying that no such incidents had occured during the tour. He said: “My wife was also with me at that time.”
Zoology department Chairperson ASM Shafikur Rahman told the Dhaka Tribune that he had received a complaint. He said: “I think it was a misunderstanding between the teacher and the students. However, I am looking into the matter.”
Prof Mahbuba, head of the sexual harassment resistance committee, said she would not disclose anything regarding the investigation until the allegation was proved. “It is the principle of the committee.”
Allegedly female students of the university often become victim of sexual harassment by male students, teachers and also the staff members. Many female students have alleged that they had been harassed mostly by the male students, especially those involved in politics. But they are afraid to submit complaints fearing their own security.
Since 2012 the resistance committee has received five complaints of sexual harassment. After completing investigations, the committee dismissed one allegation and recommended punishment for the others, Prof Mahbuba said.
Last year, the university authorities dismissed a management department teacher Shawon Uddin and Trainer at the Teachers-Students Cultural Centre Sarwar Hossain. The organization also halted promotion and increment of two teachers from marketing and sociology departments as per recommendation of the committee.
Proctor Prof Tarikul Hasan told Dhaka Tribune that every victim has the right to submit allegation to the committee. “Besides this, the proctorial body members visit the campus often to check crimes, including sexual harassment.”