Forcibly cutting students' hair at Rabindra University: Probe body submits report

The probe body has submitted its report against Farhana Yeasmin Baten, former chairman of Department of History and Cultural Heritage of Rabindra University for forcefully cutting the hair of students.

The university authority will take a decision about the accused teacher in an urgent syndicate meeting today, reports our Pabna correspondent.

"We have waited for the accused teacher Farhana Yeasmin Baten till 3:00pm on Thursday (October 21) for her self-defence statement but she did not come to the investigation committee," said Laila Fardous Himel, head of the body and also chairman of Rabindra studies department.

"Earlier she was provided with two dates for giving her comment but she did not appear before us. So we have submitted the report without her comment," she added.

"We have taken statements of over 50 witnesses including five teachers, two officers, one departmental employee, a cleaner and 44 students including 14 victims," she further said.

Asked about the details of the report, she however said, "This is confidential, university syndicate committee will disclose the probe report and before that we cannot say anything."

Talking to The Daily Star, Md Abdul Latif, treasurer of the university and also acting vice chancellor, said a syndicate meeting has been called today for discussion over the report.

"In the syndicate meeting we will discuss the matter and take decision about the accused teacher," he said.

On September 26, Farhana Yeasmin Baten asked university employees to cut the hair of male students who had long hair before they were entered examination halls. One of the students tried to die by suicide following the incident.

The university authority formed the five-member probe committee headed by Laila Fardous on September 28.