Search

Thursday, March 29, 2018

Crimes rife at DU

Arifur Rahman


The Dhaka University campus has become a sanctuary for culprits as the number of crimes such as sexual harassment, extortion and muscle-flexing by the ruling Awmi League’s student wing Chhatra League has increased alarmingly in recent times, creating panic among general students.

Teachers and former student leaders blamed absence of students’ union for the present situation where, they said, the culprits go unpunished turning the campus into a sanctuary for criminals. 

Dhaka University proctor Golam Rabbani said that they were trying to control the situation by punishing the culprits through hall administrations and other administrative bodies.

He said that it was almost impossible to always control the campus situation as a huge number of outsiders came to the university.

In the latest incident, followers of Bijoy Ekattor Hall unit Chhatra League president Fakir Rasel beat up two students over their alleged involvement with the rival group and nonparticipation in party programmes.

The victims – second years students Belayet Hossain Rocky of Islamic history and culture and Foysal Uddin of Urdu department – said that hall unit Chhatra League office secretary Mazharul Islam, Shamser Tabrij, Ariful Islam and Sheikh Arefin Imroj beat them with roads, hockey sticks in presence of Fakir Rasel at his room on March 23.

They also took away their wrist watch and mobile phone. 

Later the two were rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Denying the allegation, Fakir Rasel said that he had no idea of the incident and organisational steps would be taken, if any of his followers found guilty. 

On February 6, Chhatra League activists of Salimullah Muslim Hall beat up disaster management and science second year student Ehsan Rafiq causing and damage to the right eye allegedly for seeking back his calculator. The incident sparked protests on social media platforms. 

On March 8, Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall unit Chhatra League allegedly beat up oceanography first year student Kawsar Ali for writing his demand for legal seat on the dormitory’s wall. Kawser was admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

On March 9, Dr Muhammad Shahidullah Hall unit Chhatra League activists allegedly threw out 10 honours second year students

from the dormitory for not participating in March 7 programme at Suhrawardy Udyan.

On March 15, a marketing department honours final year female student was allegedly harassed by a group of youths in front of Udayan High School.

The victim also lodged a complaint with the university proctor’s office but no action was seen to be taken against the perpetrators.

On October 11, 2017, population science honours final year student Omar Faruq was stabbed by Chhatra League leader Abu Jubair Talha at Salimullah Muslim Hall cafeteria following an altercation.

Later the university authority cancelled certificate of Abu Jubair Talha. Taking the advantage, SM Hall Chhatra League general secretary Mehedi Hasan Taposh took away Abu Jubair’s motorcycle, laptop and other valuables.

Later, Abu Jubair filed a case with Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court. 

Dhaka University vice-chancellor Akhtaruzzaman said that there was no space for culprits on the campus and they already punished several perpetrators and would take stern action in future as well. 

Professor emeritus Serajul Islam Choudhury said that Chhatra League leaders and activists were showing audacity to do whatever they wanted as the ruling Awami League patronised them.

He said that there was no democratic environment of education in absence of active student union in the university which also encouraged Chhatra League members as they had no accountability.

The prolific professor also said that if the student union was active students could get the opportunity of upgrading their cultural status engaging in different cultural activities.

Professor Ajoy Roy said that if Awami League failed to control Chhatra League, general students with the assistance of other progressive student organisations should resist the rowdy Chhatra League members at all educational institutes across the country wherever they wanted to establish reign of fear.

Former Dhaka University Central Students Union general secretary Mushtuq Husain said the student union had been remained ineffective for several 

years leading political imbalance on the campus and Chhatra League leaders anc activists were taking the advantage.

He further said that the one-party show of Chhatra League and their rowdy activities would not stop without any democratic environment of student politics.

  • NewAge/march 29,2018

No comments:

Post a Comment