The students of Dhaka University’s
(MCJ) department have declared an indefinite boycott of all academic activities, demanding the immediate suspension of Prof. Naadir Junaid, who faces a formal sexual harassment complaint filed by a female student.
In a memorandum submitted to the department’s chairperson, Prof Abul Mansur Ahmed on Sunday morning, students raised three key points: urgent formation of an inquiry committee to investigate the sexual harassment allegations against Prof. Naadir Junaid; swift and decisive punishment for sexual predators; and the suspension of the teacher from all academic activities during the investigation period.
“Under the current circumstances, all current students of the department have decided to boycott all academic activities, including classes and examinations, until action is taken against the allegations of sexual harassment and psychological abuse against Professor Nadir Junaid,” the students wrote in the memorandum.
“We are steadfast in our decision not to resume classroom activities until our demands are addressed. If required, more measures may be taken,” it added.
Posters declaring Prof. Naadir persona non-grata were displayed on the department’s notice board and in various locations across the campus.
Following discussions with the Department Chairperson and two other faculty members, who visited the Vice Chancellor’s office to address the matter after receiving the memorandum, protesting students organised a procession that moved towards the VC office via Mall Chhatar, concluding at the base of Aparajeyo Bangla.
During a human chain that then formed at the base of Aparajeyo Bangla, several students from different batches gave speeches.
The department chairperson, Abul Mansur Ahmed, said that the matter was discussed with the university VC and that a decision would be made based on the university’s formal procedure for dealing with such matters.
“After submitting a written complaint to the proctor yesterday, the students provided me with a memorandum today. After receiving the memorandum, two other teachers and I had a meeting with the Vice-Chancellor, where the DU proctor was also present. The vice-chancellor assured the representatives of the students that a decision would be reached soon on this matter,” Abul Mansur Ahmed said in his official statement.
Attempts to reach the university’s VC, ASM Maksud Kamal, were unsuccessful as his phone was switched off.
In the complaint submitted to the Proctor, Md. Maksudur Rahman, the student brought a host of allegations, including threatening her in various ways for not accepting his romantic advances, monitoring her through the CCTV camera, continuously calling her at odd hours, and expressing sexual interest.
