'Sex assault': JUST students stage demo in Dhaka

The students of Jessore University of Science and Technology (JUST) today staged a demonstration in Dhaka protesting the expulsion of five fellow students of the university.

According to the demonstrators, the five students were expelled over protesting the alleged sexual assault on a female student by a staff of the university.

Around 60 students, under the banner of ‘General Students of Jessore University of Science and Technology’, formed a human chain near Jatiya Press Club this morning.

‎"We want authorities to revoke the expulsion order on five students," said Arman Ahmed, a second year pharmacy student at JUST.

“Badiuzzaman Badal, the assaulter and staff of JUST, has already been suspended. The expelled students have been given a chance to defend themselves. So, why are they holding a demonstration instead of doing that?,” Prof Dr Abdus Sattar, vice chancellor of JUST, told The Daily Star while slamming the protesting students.

"They had no justification beating up anybody in the campus," VC Sattar added.

Badal is said to have sexually assaulted a female student at the campus last December. Later, some students protested the abuse.

On April 10, ‎JUST university authorities expelled five students in connection with the incident that sparked agitation. The students enforced strike boycotting all classes and exams which is still underway.