Proctor's ridiculous denial!

DU administration cannot abdicate its responsibilities

We are dumbfounded by the statement of the Dhaka University Proctor that he had not been "informed" about the multiple incidents of brutal attacks on DU students by Chhatra League members after the supporters of the quota reform movement had called a press conference to brief journalists on their next course of action. This he told reporters on Tuesday, although the attacks had started on Saturday. He said this after some students came to see him to ask why he had not done anything about these attacks.

What he has said in the way of not being aware of such serious assaults on students is just preposterous. News accompanied by photographs have been circulating on social media and even published in newspapers. Is it possible that the Proctor was in an isolated chamber where no one could reach him? Or that he was so otherwise preoccupied, with what pray tell, that he did not bother to read the papers or watch the news or check his social media account?

The Proctor is trying to deny knowledge of these horrific incidents where students have been mercilessly beaten, manhandled and even arrested. On Saturday, several students, members of the quota reform movement, were injured when Chhatra League members swooped on them as they were about to have the press conference. Since then, other members have been attacked in Shahbagh, Rajshahi University and Shaheed Minar Chattar.

Will the Proctor still continue to deny having knowledge of these heinous attacks? It is absurd that the very person responsible for the welfare of the DU students would adopt a denial mode at their hour of need.

The attacks, as evident from photographs and video footage, were brutal; female students were also mercilessly beaten and humiliated. Did this not warrant the Proctor's immediate intervention? Or at least a condemnation of the crimes and action against the attackers? Instead, he has chosen to turn the other way which is very unfortunate for it makes a mockery of the position he holds.

• Courtesy: The Daily Star/ Editorial /Jul 05, 2018