Jahangirnagar University showcauses 3 BCL men for ‘assaulting’ teacher

Jahangirnagar University authorities have issued a notice to three Bangladesh Chhatra League activists who allegedly assaulted a professor.

History department Professor Mojahidul Islam had earlier filed a complaint against the three men for assaulting him when he tried to stop them from sexually harassing a student and beating a man who was with her.

University Proctor Professor Tapan Kumar Saha told bdnews24.com, that the proctorial team took the decision to issue the notice during an urgent meeting after receiving Professor Mojahidul’s complaint.

“They (the BCL activists) must reply to the notice within three days,” he said.

The incident occurred at Chourangi intersection on Thursday afternoon.

The activists who allegedly assaulted the teacher have been identified as government and politics department’s Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem, international relations department’s Jamshed Alam and Bengali department’s Jahid Hasan.

Sayem, a student of the 40th batch, and Alam and Hasan of 43rd batch are all residents of Al-Beruni Hall and known as followers of BCL university unit’s Vice-President Ariful Islam.

BCL university unit General Secretary Rajib Ahmed Russel said he was not aware of the incident.

Prof Mojahidul earlier told bdnews24.com he had rebuked Sayem when he saw him pulling the scarf of a girl at the Chourangi intersection.

“Jamshed and Jahid were beating a boy who was with the girl,” he said.

“They misbehaved with me when I asked them to stop. When I told them I was a teacher of the university, Sayem said, ‘So what?’ One of them tried to beat me up as well,” he added.

The teacher said BCL university unit Organising Secretary Murshidur Rahman and another student rescued him.

Vice-President Ariful alleged that Mojahidul had used abusive words while rebuking Sayem, Alam and Hasan.

“That they misbehaved with the teacher is new to me,” he said.

Mojahidul denied the allegation.

“I am a teacher. There is no question of my using abusive language. I only asked them to stop,” he said.

“What is important to me as a teacher is that I managed to save a girl from harassment. I hope the university authorities will take step against the sexual molesters,” he said.

There were allegations that Sayem had beaten and harassed visitors even in the past.

One Abdur Razzak had alleged that Sayem had assaulted him and his wife when he was visiting the university in April last year.

Alam and Hasan were once accused of ‘chasing’ a student out of the university, labelling him as a thief when he refused to become a member of the BCL.

The authorities had earlier expelled five BCL leaders and activists for sexually harassing a female student during Pahela Baishakh (Bangla New Year) celebrations last year.