First year students of Animal Husbandry Faculty protested demanding justice in the case of molestation of a female student in Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU). They started the procession from the main gate of the Faculty of Animal Husbandry around 10:30 am on Sunday (February 11).
The procession circumambulated the student hall of the university, the central library and the Veterinary Faculty-adjacent road and ended at the office of the Dean of the faculty of Animal Husbandry.
At the end of the procession, the agitating students locked the administrative building of the University demanding justice. Later students opened the lock around 1 o'clock and held a meeting with the Vice-Chancellor.
Meanwhile, during the procession, the agitating students abused the members of the proctorial body, alleging that all of the proctorial body resigned, the proctor said.
But the VC said that there has been a little misunderstanding between the proctor and the students. It will be resolved. They will join again.
Last Saturday (February 10) at noon, a female Animal Husbandry student was molested by an unidentified CNG-driven auto-rickshaw driver on the road adjacent to the residential area of Bangladesh Atomic Agriculture Research Institute (BINA) of the university.
The students protested for a total of four points including the trial of the incident. Other demands are banning of auto-rickshaws from all over the campus except on designated traffic roads, prescribed code of rickshaws and dress code for drivers, speedy strengthening of security on farm roads inside the university.
Proctor Prof. Azharul Islam alleged that the agitating students shouted slogans abusing the members of the Proctoral body during the protest march.
He said, "During the agitation, the students attacked the teachers personally and abused them. Where teachers are not respected, we cannot work. We, the members of the proctorial body (proctor and assistant proctors) have submitted their resignations to the proctorial office.
The agitating students said that their slogans were, 'Why is my sister assaulted, the administration wants answers', 'When will the stupid administration move?', 'There is CCTV, no footage, 'Why are there outsiders in the campus?' They raised their voice through slogans. They did not abuse or disrespect the teachers.
When asked about this, Vice-Chancellor Professor Emdadul Haque Chowdhury said, 'The demands of the students are logical. Common numbering will be provided at university entrances to strengthen connectivity with security personnel. Security will be strengthened on farm roads from today. He talked to the Superintendent of Police for proper prosecution of the incident of molestation.
Regarding the resignation of the proctorial body, the Vice-Chancellor said, "There has been a misunderstanding between the proctor and the students." The issue is being resolved. Everything will be fine in a day or two. The proctors will rejoin.'