The identification and arrest of some of the accused has brought relief for family and friends of Nusrat Jahan Rafi, a student of Sonagazi Madrasa in Feni who died at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) on April 10 after being set on fire reportedly by supporters of the madrasa principal on April 6.
Nusrat’s family has said they are satisfied with the arrests, and their main demand now is that trial of the case of her death be completed quickly.
According to the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), a total 13 people, including two girls, were involved in setting fire to Nusrat. Seven of them have been arrested so far, including main accused and Sonagazi Madrasa Principal Md Sirajuddaula.
On March 27, the victim's family had lodged a sexual harassment case against the madrasa principal, accusing him of attempting to rape Nusrat in his office.
Nusrat's father AKM Musa Manik, a teacher by profession, said: “We are satisfied with the progress of the investigation, but a speedy trial is a must. The conduct of a teacher should be in accordance with the laws and regulations of the country.”
Nusrat's elder brother Mahamudul Hasan Noman, her 80-year-old grandfather Mosharraf Hossain, and acting principal of the Sonagazi Islamia Fazil (Degree) Madrasa Mohammed Hossain also demanded the immediate arrest of the remaining accused and exemplary punishment for the perpetrators in a speedy manner.
The principal molested many
Sources said Nusrat’s case is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of Principal Sirajuddaula’s unethical acts. The principal has been accused of sexual harassment on a number of previous occasions, but this is the first time that he is facing action.
Md Siraj Hossain Chowdhury, principal of Purba Barabalol Madinatululom Madrasa, said many female students had been molested by the principal and a few of them had even filed complaints with the governing body.
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“If any action had been taken, the situation would be different,” he said.
Asking to remain anonymous, one of Nusrat’s classmates also said there were many allegations of sexual harassment against the principal, but most students lack the courage to take a stand against him as he is affiliated with politics.
A close friend of Nusrat told the Dhaka Tribune that she and one other had accompanied Nusrat when she went to the principal’s office the day she was reportedly harassed. The principal did not allow all three of them to enter the room.
“When Nusrat left the office after a few minutes, we asked what had happened but she did not say anything,” she said.
“We want a proper investigation and justice, so that no girl has to face such a terrible experience,” Nusrat's friend added.
A madrasa teacher, who said he had known the principal for a long time, claimed that Sirajuddaula sexually harassed a female Alim student on October 3.
“Her father filed written complaints with the madrasa governing body chairman and Additional Deputy Commissioner PK Enamul Kabir. He also sent a copy to the UNO, but nothing happened,” the madrasa teacher added.
Belayet Hossain, a teacher of Sonagazi Islamia Fazil (Degree) Madrasa, said a number of people had repeatedly protested Principal Sirajuddaula’s illicit activities, but the principal sent them show-cause notices to stop them from standing up to him.
“The trial should be swift, or the people will lose trust in teachers,” he added.