DU student ‘tries taking own life’

A Dhaka University student, who was accused of harassing his female classmate, reportedly tried to take his own life alleging that one of his teachers insulted him in front of his classmates.

However, some of his classmates said the teacher -- Prof Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan of international relations department -- did not say anything that would insult him.

SM Ehsan Ullah Dhrubo, also deputy training affairs secretary of Chhatra League's (BCL) Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall unit, made a Facebook post around 8:30pm on Thursday, accusing Prof Tanzimuddin of "insulting" him. He reportedly went missing after making the post.

Soon after, around 500 BCL activists took position in front of the DU vice chancellor's residence, chanting slogans against the professor.

Tanbir Hasan Shaikat, general secretary of DU unit BCL said in a Facebook post, "No one will be spared if anything happens to our brother. Everything will be answered in blood."

I am shocked with the dirty game that has begun centring the Facebook status and the suicide attempt. Dhrubo came to my office once and said some vile words about his classmate. I stopped him and said that's a personal matter. Later in class, I wanted to know from him the source of his information.

— Prof Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan

Ehsan was found near Shahidullah Hall pond on the campus around 1:30am and was rushed to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Seeking anonymity, a fellow classmate of Dhrubo, said a female classmate had rejected Dhrubo's romantic advances.

"A few days ago, third-year students of the department went on an excursion, which was supervised by Prof Tanzimuddin. Dhrubo, who did not participate in the excursion, started spreading rumours to assassinate the character of the female student who rejected his advances. He even talked about the rumours about her with Tanzim sir."

"Later, sir asked him about the source of his information in front of the class, but Dhrubo didn't have any answer," he added.

Other students that this correspondent talked to echoed the same.

A student named Farhana Shahnawaz wrote, "We can confirm what transpired was nothing beyond a guardian-like behaviour from Tanzim sir's part. He did not mention Dhrubo's BCL affiliation at all."

Talking to The Daily Star, Prof Tanzimuddin said, "I am shocked with the dirty game that has begun centring the Facebook status and the suicide attempt."

"Earlier, Dhrubo even came to my office once and said some vile words about his classmate. I stopped him and said that's a personal matter. Later in class, I wanted to know from him the source of his information and asked how he could spread such disinformation," he added.