Sufia Kamal Hall: It's institutional harassment, says DU human chain

Terming the incident of Kabi Sufia Kamal Hall an “institutional harassment”, speakers at a human chain today urged the authorities concerned to ensure safety and preserve dignity of both the students and teachers on Dhaka University campus.

“Become a teacher first, then an administrator,” Columnist Syed Abul Maksud said while addressing the human chain organised by Shocheton Shikkhokbrindo, a section of teachers of the university, at Aparajeyo Bangla.

The same group on April 18 wrote an open letter to the DU vice-chancellor expressing their concern on the prevailing situation on the campus.

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Sufia Kamal Hall: Four students thrown out late at night

The rally protested Thursday's incident when authorities drove out three female students from Kabi Sufia Kamal Hall late that night.

The female students were driven out of the hall allegedly for spreading rumours using fake accounts on Facebook during an incident at the dormitory on April 10.

On April 20, the hall Provost Prof Sabita Rizwana said the students returned to their dorm on Friday after giving written statements that “they would not spread rumours again.”

This morning, speaking at the protest gathering, Dr MM Akash, a professor Department of Economics, said handing over the female students to their guardians in the darkness of the night is against the values of Bangladeshi culture.

The DU teachers' group also came up with a six-point demand which includes:

1. Maintain teaching atmosphere for all teachers and students and ensure their freedom of speech

2. Security to the teachers and students should be ensured and no steps against them can be taken except the specific rules and procedures

3. Form a special cell to ensure that no students are affected by state forces or any other quarters

4. Take legal measures against those who are directly involved with the untoward incident taken place during the quota reform movement

5. Give exemplary punishment to those involved in the attack in the VC's residence and ensure security at all residential areas including the VC's residence on the campus

6. Uphold the dignity of students and teachers. Ensure and safeguard their privacy