Dhaka: A student of Dhaka University, who alleged that he was subjected to intimidation and harassment by the provost of Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall, has been staging a sit-in for the past three days in front of the vice-chancellor's office, demanding the provost's resignation and immediate disclosure of an investigation report into the incident.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the victim, Md Ibrahim, a student of the Department of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering from the 2020-21 academic session, had made a Facebook post criticizing Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall Provost and Professor of the Department of Pharmaceutical Technology Dr Md Elias Al-Mamun. The post highlighted various problems at the hall.
Ibrahim claimed that the provost summoned him to his office on August 16 over the post, where he was allegedly subjected to mental harassment, intimidation, and threats of being sued under a cybercrime case for around one and a half hours in a closed room. He also alleged that the provost and hall staff forcibly checked his mobile phone and made him sign a document against his will.
Following the incident, students of the hall initiated protests demanding the provost's resignation and locked the hall office indefinitely. In response, the university authorities formed an investigation committee, headed by University Proctor Md Israfil PK, to look into the allegations.
'I have been staging a sit-in for the last three days, but no responsible official has come here yet. The university administration is sheltering the provost,' Ibrahim stated. He further expressed frustration over the delay in the investigation, noting that the committee was supposed to submit the report earlier but has continuously postponed the deadline.
Despite the ongoing protest, committee convener Israfil Ratan provided a noncommittal response regarding the investigation report, indicating that its release could happen at any time. Ibrahim remains resolute in his demand for justice, vowing to continue his sit-in until the matter is resolved.