JU students lock proctor office protesting attempted rape
During a press briefing after the overnight programme, the protesting students said that although they had announced a six-point demand on 13 May and issued a 48-hour ultimatum for the arrest of the accused, the deadline had expired at 3am today without any progress.
Female students of Jahangirnagar University (JU) staged an overnight sit-in in front of the vice-chancellor's residence and locked the proctor's office today (16 May), declaring the proctorial body "unwanted" after authorities failed to arrest a rape suspect within a 48-hour deadline.
The protest follows the alleged attempted rape and attempted murder of a female student on campus on Tuesday (12 May).
They brought out a protest procession from the university's female dormitories around 1am. The procession marched through different halls and ended in front of the vice-chancellor's residence via Chourangi intersection.
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The students then staged a sit-in programme there from 2am until 9am.
During a press briefing after the overnight programme, the protesting students said that although they had announced a six-point demand on 13 May and issued a 48-hour ultimatum for the arrest of the accused, the deadline had expired at 3am today without any progress.
Accusing the administration of "extreme failure," the students alleged that officials had deceived them and denied their demands, despite a prior signed commitment from the vice-chancellor assuring that the demands would be accepted.
The students also alleged that the administration concealed important information related to the incident and created confusion by circulating the wrong photograph.
They claimed that despite another abduction and rape incident and the Sharmin murder case taking place during the current proctor's tenure, the vice-chancellor had described him as the "most efficient proctor".
After the press briefing around 10am, female students broke the lock of the proctor's office and installed a new one.
They announced that all administrative activities at the registrar building would be blockaded from tomorrow and declared that all university administrative activities would remain suspended until the resignation of the proctor, arrest of the accused and exemplary punishment were ensured.
Among the protesting students, Tajnin Nahar Tammi, a student of the 51st batch of the Philosophy Department, said, "We have not received proper justice for the incidents that occurred during this proctor's tenure. We no longer want this failed proctor."
Lamisha Zaman, a student of the 53rd batch of the History Department, said, "We will continue the sit-in programme until the proctor resigns. We will not leave our position. At the same time, we urge law enforcement agencies to implement our first demand, which is the immediate arrest of the accused."
Meanwhile, a heated argument broke out between protesting students and Vice-Chancellor Professor Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan after a female student described him as a "fascist", prompting a strong reaction from the vice-chancellor.
Responding to the issue, the vice-chancellor said the police were trying to arrest the accused, and some progress had already been made.
He said, "If the university has to take any action, both the complainant and the accused parties must be heard, and a decision must be made through an investigation committee. The proctor cannot be removed simply by standing in front of the residence."
The vice-chancellor also said the issue of publishing the wrong photograph would be investigated and expressed hope that students would allow some time for the investigation process.
Previously, the students had alleged that the accused's photo, taken from CCTV footage, had been edited by artificial intelligence.
The protesting students said the proctor's office was locked since the proctorial body was declared unwanted.
After locking the office, graffiti including "Get lost", "Unwanted proctor", "Rashed, go away" and "You are fake, a failure and shameless" was written on the office doors, windows and walls.
Meanwhile, the protesting students called on all male and female students, teachers, cultural and political organisations and the general public to express solidarity with the movement.
