BCL ‘forces out’ Chhatra Front member from hall for her denial to join programme

Bangladesh Chhatra League has allegedly driven out a member of Samajtantrik Chhatra Front from a residential hall for female students at Bangladesh Agricultural University in Mymensingh.

Mymensingh CorrespondentIlias Ahmed, bdnews24.com
Published : 9 Jan 2018, 03:13 PM
Updated : 9 Jan 2018, 03:13 PM

The authorities took her back to the hall on Tuesday afternoon when photos of her hunger strike in front of the hall’s gate in the morning went viral on the social media, Sourav Das, president of Chhatra Front’s BAU unit, told bdnews24.com. 

The alleged victim, Afsana Ahmed Eva, attached to Begum Rokeya Hall, had to spend 17 hours outside after allegedly being forced out late on Monday night for her denial to take part in a BCL programme.

Afsana told reporters that leaders and activists of BCL’s BAU unit organised a procession on the campus on Jan 4 to mark the founding anniversary of the ruling Awami League’s student front.

She refused to join the procession, and in retaliation, some leaders and activists of the pro-government organisation drove her out of her room around 11:30pm on Monday, she said.

Provost Ismat Ara Begum asked her to stay at the university’s Health Care Centre, where some students are kept temporarily, at the time, but Afsana did not agree for security reasons, Sourav said.

Afsana stayed at the hall gate until Chhatra Front General Secretary Israt Jahan took her to her room around 3am, the president of BAU Chhatra Front said.

“Later around 8am, Afsana took position in front of the gate and started a hunger strike until death. When the news and photos of her protest went viral on the social media, the proctor called her to his office around noon,” Sourav said.

Proctor Atikur Rahman said former proctor AKM Zakir Hossain, other members of the proctorial body, and he himself took Afsana to her room later in the afternoon.

“She had a minor issue with some other students. Later it was settled in the presence of the provost,” he added.

Provost Ismat said she has formed a committee to investigate the incident and pledged to take action if someone was found guilty.

Meanwhile, some BCL activists led by BAU unit Vice-President Tania Afrin Sinthi demonstrated in front of the hall gate in the afternoon, alleging misconduct by Afsana.

The demonstrators said Afsana behaved badly with the senior students and even with the provost.

Sinthi could not be reached for comment. Her mobile phone was found switched off.