Students of Environmental Science Department at Jahangirnagar University (JU) formed a human chain on Monday, demanding the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of an individual accused of attempted rape of a student.
The protesters also expressed their strong condemnation of the “unprofessional and disrespectful behaviour” shown by a section of students towards the university’s Proctor AKM Rashidul Alam.
The programme was held around 1pm in the university’s Shaheed Minar area.
Addressing the human chain, Tanvir Rahman, a student of Environmental Science Department, said the incident, which occurred on campus on 12 May, was deeply alarming.
He expressed frustration over the lack of visible progress in apprehending the accused despite the passage of time and called for a clear stance from the university administration and law enforcement agencies.
Tanvir further remarked that while the primary objective should be identifying the criminal and ensuring justice, certain quarters were attempting to exploit the movement to serve ulterior motives.
Criticising the recent conduct towards the proctor, Tanvir described the use of offensive language and disrespectful behaviour as “unwanted”.
He demanded that the administration take appropriate action against those involved in such incidents.
The protest follows a period of heightened tension on campus. Last Saturday, a group of students locked the Proctor’s Office, alleging a failure to ensure student safety.
They demanded the resignation of the proctorial body and declared them persona non grata on campus.
Three outsiders were detained by the university’s security wing following three separate allegations of harassment of women. The detainees were later handed over to the Ashulia Police Station.
It was during these events on Sunday night that allegations occurred regarding some students making indecent remarks and behaving inappropriately towards the proctor.
