Brac University protests: Probe finally underway

The protesting students of Brac University accepted the probe committee formed by the authorities after the fifth member was announced as Maimuna Syed Ahmed, a student of law in her final year. The committee started working from Thursday. Sabbir Ahmed, an alumnus of the university told the Dhaka Tribune: “We have fixed three agendas to present before the vice-chancellor. The agendas are the registrar and two other officials should resign or be terminated, harassment or assault on students (calling up their parents and threatening to cancel their scholarships etc) to be addressed and the responsible individuals to be punished, and withdrawing all allegations against Farhaan.” Responding to the students’ demands, the university formed a five-member investigation committee on Tuesday. The committee includes Prof AFM Yusuf Haider, former pro vice-chancellor of Dhaka University, Prof Syed Manzoorul Islam, former head of DU English department, Prof Afsan Chowdhury of Brac and Tajdin Hasan, president of Brac University Alumni Association. Former teacher Farhaan Uddin Ahmed was allegedly assaulted by Registrar Maj Gen (retd) Muhammad Sahool Afzal, Assistant Registrar Md Mahi Uddin and Senior Officer of Co-Curricular Activities Jabed Rasel, according to a case filed with Banani police on July 30. The news of the assault sparked an outrage among Brac University students who have been protesting since Sunday.Nine hours of hunger strike withdrawnSix students of Brac University have withdrawn their hunger strike on Thursday evening. The students from the Brac School of Law, protesting against the university administration had sat down for hunger strike from 11am Thursday. The strike was withdrawn after various teachers reassured them that all necessary steps would be taken to resolve the situation. The protesters demanded the registrar and two more BracU officials resign for allegedly assaulting a lecturer. They also demanded security personnel who clashed with the students and reportedly sexually harassed the female students also be punished. According to the protesters, a group of teachers have assured them that they will form another probe committee within three working days to investigate the incident of students being harassed. They also issued an ultimatum, saying the hunger strike has been withdrawn for just three days to let the committee form. BracU VC Prof Syed Saad Andaleeb told the Dhaka Tribune that the authorities have almost come to a resolution over the problem.