Students of Khulna University (KU) have withdrawn their ongoing boycott of classes and examinations after expressing satisfaction with the administration’s progress in implementing their three-point demands.
The decision was announced in a statement issued by the students on Friday.
Citing what they described as satisfactory progress in addressing their demands, the students announced the withdrawal of the class and examination boycott and urged the resumption of all academic and administrative activities from Sunday
The move follows a series of measures taken by the university in response to the students’ demands, including the dismissal of a professor over sexual harassment allegations, the formation of an investigation committee against another faculty member, and action involving a campus club.
According to the statement, the university’s 237th Syndicate meeting decided to dismiss Md Rezaul Islam, a professor of the Agrotechnology Discipline, over allegations of sexual harassment.
The university also formed a five-member committee to investigate sexual harassment allegations against Md Rubel Ansar, a professor of the Bangla Discipline.
The committee, constituted based on a report by the university’s Sexual Harassment Prevention Centre, has been asked to submit its findings within 30 working days.
On the students’ third demand, the statement said Spandan 24, a campus club, had dissolved its controversial committee and suspended all activities.
An application seeking cancellation of the club’s registration will be submitted to the office of the Director of Student Affairs on Sunday.
Regarding the first demand, the students said the university administration had filed a case under four sections against a canteen employee accused of sexual harassment. The accused and his wife are currently in jail.
The statement also said an investigation report into allegations that the concerned hall provost had failed to take timely action before the incident had already been submitted. Students will be allowed to review the report.
They decided to end the boycott after considering the administration’s progress in addressing their demands.
They, however, warned that they would continue monitoring the implementation of the demands and would announce fresh protest programmes if they found any delay, negligence or lack of cooperation from the university authorities.
