At least 17 departments of Dhaka University have issued separate statements demanding the suspension of Mostafa Asif, an assistant binder at the DU Central Library, who is accused of verbal harassment by a female DU student.
Thirteen departments have called for a boycott of classes and examinations, while others have warned of an intense protest if their demand is not met.
In their statements, they urged the DU authorities to take swift action by launching an investigation and making a prompt decision.
"If any attempts are made to retain this immoral abuser in his position, students from our respective departments will immediately boycott all classes and exams," several departmental statements read.
Additionally, they declared Mostafa Asif Arnob "unwelcome" on the Dhaka University campus.
"The university administration has failed to provide security for its female students. It has become an obstacle to the victim receiving justice. Despite the accused's confession, witness statements, and other related evidence, the administration is attempting to keep him employed," many statements alleged.
Probe committee yet to hold an official meeting
According to probe committee convener Dr Md Rafiqul Islam, the committee has yet to hold an official meeting, though its members met informally on Thursday.
"The committee was formed yesterday (Thursday), but due to the weekend, we have been unable to begin formal proceedings. We plan to hold our first official meeting on March 9 (Sunday), after the weekly holidays," he said.
Dr Rafiqul Islam also assured that students’ security and safety will be the top priority of the DU authorities under all circumstances.
The DU administration has formed a three-member probe committee to investigate the issue, and the DU syndicate will make its decision based on the committee’s report.
The committee is led by Assistant Proctor Dr Md Rafiqul Islam as convener, with Assistant Proctor Shehreen Amin Bhuiyan and the deputy librarian of the Central Library as additional members.
On Wednesday, a student in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at DU was harassed by a staff member of the DU library.
Later that night, she filed a case against the accused under Section 10 of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, 2000.
However, the case was withdrawn the following day, on Thursday.
On Wednesday night, a group identified themselves as "Touhidi Janata" and besieged Shahbagh police station.
They also gathered outside the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court, where Mostafa Asif appeared the next morning.
After securing bail, the accused was released, following which members of "Touhidi Janata" reportedly celebrated his release.
