Students of Khulna University (KU) continued their protest, keeping all administrative and academic buildings locked despite several measures announced by the university authorities to resolve the ongoing crisis.
As of 10am on Saturday, all administrative and academic buildings, except the guest house, remained closed. Discussions between the university administration and student representatives were underway, with authorities focusing on addressing the students’ three-point demand.
KU Registrar Professor Dr SM Mahbubur Rahman said the administration was giving serious consideration to the students’ demands but the students remained firm in their position.
“Administrative and academic buildings are still locked. Discussions are continuing, and the issue of accepting the students’ demands is being taken seriously,” he said.
The unrest began after female students of Bijoy ’24 Hall allegedly caught canteen worker Imam Hasan secretly recording videos inside a washroom using a mobile phone on the night of July 22. The incident sparked anger among students, who raised concerns over safety and demanded immediate action.
Following the incident, the university administration handed over Imam Hasan and his wife Rupa Moni to law enforcement on July 23. A case was filed against them under several sections of the Pornography Control Act, 2012. The two accused were produced before a court, where they gave confessional statements under Section 164 and were later sent to jail after their bail petitions were rejected.
The university has formed a three-member committee to investigate whether there was any negligence by the Bijoy ’24 Hall authorities. The hall administration has also formed a separate five-member committee to examine the incident.
As preventive measures, the university has banned mobile phones for canteen workers in residential halls, moved to cancel the contract of the Bijoy ’24 Hall canteen operator, and decided that female halls will have only female workers in their canteens. Experts will also inspect the hall washrooms for possible hidden cameras.
However, students rejected the steps and announced an indefinite shutdown of academic and administrative activities until their demands are met. Their demands include maximum punishment for Imam Hasan, accountability of hall authorities, permanent dismissal of two teachers accused in separate sexual harassment cases, and cancellation of the registration of the student organisation ‘Spandan 24.’
The administration said it would continue discussions and take necessary action according to university rules.