Dhaka: Dhaka University's Fazlul Haq Muslim Hall students have announced the indefinite closure of the hall office following allegations of harassment by the hall's provost. The decision comes after the students failed to receive a satisfactory response from the university authorities regarding the incident that occurred yesterday.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the students have put forward three key demands: the release of CCTV footage of the incident, the expulsion of the provost and involved staff if found guilty, and, if the footage is discovered to have been deleted, the initiation of a trial against the provost and the concerned parties. The university administration has responded by forming a five-member investigation committee, spearheaded by Proctor Israfil Ratan, to review the incident and submit a report promptly.
The controversy erupted after a resident student of the hall, Md Ibrahim, accused the provost, Dr. Md. Elias Al-Mamun, and five staff members of harassing him in a closed-door meeting. Ibrahim claims he was summoned over a critical Facebook post about the provost, during which he was detained for one and a half hours, subjected to mental harassment, had his phone checked without consent, and was threatened with expulsion and a potential cybercrime case.
The provost allegedly coerced Ibrahim into signing a statement admitting that his post was influenced by hall union leaders. Following these events, a protest ensued involving DUCSU leaders and members of student organizations, demanding the provost's resignation and the release of CCTV footage. The protest escalated, leading to the confinement of the provost, and a subsequent clash with Chhatra Dal activists resulted in six injuries.
In response, the Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall unit of Chhatra Dal has called for an impartial investigation into the allegations and the ensuing tumult. In a memorandum to the university proctor, they have demanded disciplinary measures against those responsible. Similarly, DU Shibir has demanded the permanent removal of the provost and involved staff, along with action against Chhatra Dal members implicated in the violence. They have vowed to continue their protest until justice is served.