Burn the effigy of that teacher of EB

The students have made various allegations against Islamic University (EB) Development Studies Department Assistant Professor Hafizul Islam including harassment and sexual harassment. They protested demanding the removal of that teacher. On Tuesday (October 22), students expressed their anger by setting his effigy on fire.

According to campus sources, more than a hundred students of the department marched in front of Rabindra-Nazrul Kala Bhavan of the university at 11:30 a.m. holding effigies of Hafizul Islam. They went around the entire campus and set fire to the effigy at the main gate. Meanwhile, the students demanded the permanent dismissal of the teacher.

The students complained that Hafizul Islam used to talk indecently with the students in the classroom. He used to make bad comments about clothes. Besides forcing students into homosexuality, giving low marks if they do not listen, harassing girls by calling their personal numbers, using fake IDs to have lewd conversations with different girls.

Earlier on October 7, the students protested by blocking the main gate and demanding his removal. Later, they made a 27-point complaint in writing to the vice-chancellor and narrated the incident verbally. A five-member committee was formed to investigate the complaint. The committee was asked to report within 10 working days.

After learning that Hafizul Islam was coming to the campus on Tuesday to give an interview to the investigation committee, the students held a program. However, the investigation committee said that the teacher did not come to the campus to give an interview citing security concerns.

Students of the department said, we have declared him undesirable from the department. He should also be dismissed from the university. If he is not fired for life, our movement agenda will continue.

The students also said that we are not stopping him from coming to the campus for investigation work. We protest. We have proof of every misdeed of his. His allegations must be proven through investigation.

Attempts were made to contact the teacher regarding the complaint, but he could not be reached.

The convener of the investigation committee, Professor Dr. Kazi Mustafa Arif said, we took some students on Monday to investigate the complaint. The teachers of the department were interviewed today on Tuesday. Accused Hafizul Islam was supposed to come to the campus but he did not come for the interview citing security concerns. We will sit down and decide how to interview him.

Munjurul Islam/ZH/MS