A first year student of Jahangirnagar University was reportedly tortured on Sunday night by some second year students for allegedly harassing one of their female classmates, which led to protests on campus Monday by supporters of both sides.
First and second year students held separate demonstrations Monday protesting the alleged torture and harassment respectively, and demanded punishment of all the perpetrators.
Sources said Saiful Islam, a first year student of Government and Politics Department, was beaten up inside a dormitory room by four seniors for allegedly teasing a second year female student on Sunday evening.
Saiful was repeatedly kicked in his abdomen by the second year students, who were identified as Razib and Badhon of Urban and Regional Planning Department, Mashuk of Government and Politics Department and Jamil of Physics Department. They are all residents of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall.
Badly injured Saiful was sent to Enam Medical College and Hospital in Savar for treatment, the source added.
The first year students of the university brought out a procession on the campus Monday morning, and blocked the busy Dhaka-Aricha highway for 30 minutes, demanding punishment of those involved in torturing Saiful. They also submitted a written complaint with their demands to JU Pro-Vice-Chancellor (authorities) Afsar Ahmed.
Meanwhile, second year students also demonstrated on the campus and held a press conference in the afternoon at the Amar Ekushey sculpture to demand the immediate punishment of Saiful, and some of his friends, who, they said, were also involved in harassing the female student.
They also submitted a written complaint to the proctor demanding punishment of a dozen first year students for sexual harassment.
Bangabandhu Hall Provost Farid Ahmed told the Dhaka Tribune that on behalf of the hall authorities, he would submit a report to the university’s disciplinary committee after investigating Sunday’s incidents.
JU Assistant Proctor Kazi Saiful Islam said the disciplinary board would meet soon and take necessary steps to deal with both sides.
