JU teacher fired over sexual harassment of student

A teacher of Jahangirnagar University (JU) has been fired for sexually harassing a female student.

The university authorities took the action on Tuesday night against Sanwar Siraj, assistant professor of the university's Government and Politics department, through a syndicate meeting chaired by JU Vice-Chancellor Professor Farzana Islam.

Two syndicate members of the university confirmed the matter to The Daily Star wishing anonymity.

A master's student of the same department lodged a written complaint against the teacher to the department on September 19 last year.

Later, the complaint was transferred to the anti-sexual harassment cell. During investigation, the committee found the allegations to be true.

Contacted, Sanwar Siraj said, "I didn't get justice. It is a biased decision for political influence. I have submitted some crucial documents but the authorities did not accept those."   

On Sunday, a group of teachers of the university met with the JU Teachers Association (JUTA) and demanded "justice for Sanwar Siraj", alleging that he may have been "punished unjustly".

They previously also formed an internal messenger group named "Fight for Right" demanding justice for Sanwar Siraj.