Students of Jagannath University have placed a new six-point demand following the reported suicide of fellow student Fairuz Abontika, a student of the 2017-2018 academic year of the law department.
After a torchlight procession on Sunday, students of the university raised their demand.
The demands are: An immediate investigation should be carried out and student Amman Siddique and teacher Deen Islam from Jagannath University should be expelled; the proctorial body including Proctor Mustafa Kamal and all those related to the accused should be brought to justice subject to investigation, to ensure that all the previous oppressions are brought to justice as soon as possible; an impartial anti-harassment cell should be formed as soon as possible and complaint boxes should be set up in every department; specialist psychologists should be appointed at the university and no interns should be employed; and the demands should be implemented within the next seven working days.
They said that according to their ultimatum, the administration has been able to arrest the accused. The administration has promised them they will do more.
They said Abontika was technically killed, so they want justice.
Meanwhile, under the banner of general students, the Socialist Students’ Front (SSF) held a symbolic protest program with black badges on their faces and ropes around their necks.
Socialist Students’ Front Coordinator Ivan Tahseeb said: “Abontika's death was not suicide, it was murder. Now the victim is being blamed. Abontika was brave. She always protested for injustice. We want to know why Abontika's complaint submitted to the proctor's office did not reach the VC.”
Earlier, the first meeting of an investigation committee formed by Jagannath University was held at noon on Sunday. Apart from this, the Jagannath University administration organized a milad mahfil at the central mosque of JnU to pray for the departed soul of Abontika.
Jagannath University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Sadeka Halim, Treasurer Prof Humayun Kabir Chowdhury, teachers association members and the proctorial team were present at the event.
