RU students demand teacher’s punishment

Students of Rajshahi University (RU) formed a human chain yesterday demanding punishment of a teacher who allegedly sexually harassed two female students of Institute of Education and Research (IER).

Over 100 students of different departments, mostly from IER, gathered in front of Syed Ismail Hossain Siraji building around 12pm.

Last week, two IER students filed separate complaints of sexual harassment with RU authorities against their teacher, IER Assistant Professor Bishnu Kumar Adhikary.

Speakers at the human chain demanded removal of the accused immediately.

Ashik M Nuruddin, a fourth-year IER student, said, “We see many incidents of sexual harassment every day, but when a university teacher contributes to the problem by harassing two of his students, it becomes frustrating and shameful for us. We do not want such teachers.”

Another IER student alleged that many teachers and students loyal to Bishnu Kumar are now spreading false information to save him. They also pressurised the students to withdraw the complaints.

In the written complaints, the students claimed that Bishnu Kumar used to phone them late at night and insisted to talk for a long time.

He often called them to his office and used to humiliate them. He also used inappropriate words toward them.

Following the complaints, IER authorities called an emergency meeting and withdrew the teacher from performing academic activities. They also formed a three-member committee to look into the allegations.

On Friday, the two students also filed separate general diaries with Motihar Police Station, seeking security, claiming that they were pressured to withdraw the complaints.

Bishnu Kumar denied the allegations and demanded a fair investigation to unveil the truth, according to a written statement issued on Saturday. He claimed that the allegations are conspiratorial, fictional and baseless.