Students of Jahangirnagar University went out on demonstrations on the campus on Saturday protesting at the sexual harassment of a fellow student by a government and politics teacher Sanwar Siraj.
The students formed a human chain in front of the Shaheed Minar around 2:00pm under the banner of ‘Bangladesh Sadharan Chhatra Adhikar Sangrakkhan Parishad.’
Bangladesh Chhatra Union, Samajtantrik Chhatra Front, Samajtantrik Chhatra Front (Marxist), Jahangirnagr Sangskritik Jote expressed solidarity with them. They demanded the exemplary punishment of the accused teacher immediately.
Addressing at the human chain, co-convener of BSCASP Joynal Abedin Shishir said, ‘When the victim went to file complaint against Sanwar Siraj, several teachers of the department mentally tortured her. Instead of carrying out the duty they were assigned for, they developed a syndicate of sexual harassment. All of them should be punished.’
Environmental Sciences professor Jamal Uddin Runu said, ‘Jahangirnagar University has a rich history of anti-sexual harassment movement. As a teacher, I am ashamed that our student is sexually abused by one of our colleagues.’
Later, a procession was brought out that paraded the campus streets.
According to the victim’s statement, Sanwar Siraj, assistant professor of government and politics department, repeatedly offered insisted her for physical relation.
In August 2018, the victim raised the issue publicly at a seminar in her department. She alleged that the then chairman of her department, Shamsunnahar Khanam, did not like her speaking up in a public forum.
The victim claimed she had given all the proofs of sexual harassments to the former chairman Shamsunnahar Khanam but she did not cooperate her and suggested her to focus on career instead taking further steps regarding the matter.
Denying this statement, Shamsunnahar Khanam said, ‘No written complaint was given to me. The girl is telling lie about me. When she raised her complaint in a public programme, I just said that she should file a written complaint with proper documents.’
Source: Newage
