Leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Chhatra Union’s (BSU) Dhaka University unit formed a human chain on the campus, demanding a trial for the sexual harassment allegations brought against the Mass Communication and Journalism department’s Prof. Naadir Junaid.
They urged students to build a strong movement demanding investigation of the incident and the establishment of an effective anti-sexual harassment cell as soon as possible.
Kranooprue Lotus, the Press and Publication Secretary of the DU unit, said in his speech that allegations against university teachers are not prosecuted.
“There is no precedent for them to be fired. Consequently, they continue to engage in such behavior. Therefore, it is crucial to implement the anti-sexual harassment cell.”
Meghmallar Bosu, the president of the DU unit, emphasized that the main focus should be on power when such allegations surface.
“We discuss various issues whenever there is an incident of sexual harassment. Some talk about clothes, and some sexualize women. However, the main focus needs to be on power. The culture of power arbitrariness in a state structure has reached such a point that it is constantly creating oppressors.”
Kashfia Hasan Mouri, the Vice President of the DU Unit, mentioned in her speech, “Why would a teacher look at students with greedy eyes? The name of the teacher you see on the banner, Naadir Junaid, offered to have a sexual relationship with his student. After the proposal was rejected, the student was asked if she was a woman and whether she had any problems. Do you understand the extent of his audacity?”
Earlier, a student of Dhaka University filed a written complaint alleging sexual harassment and prolonged psychological abuse against Prof Naadir Junaid of the university's Mass Communication and Journalism Department on Saturday morning.
In the complaint submitted to the Proctor Md. Maksudur Rahman, the student brought a host of allegations, including threatening her in various ways for not accepting his romantic advances, monitoring her through the CCTV camera, continuously calling her at odd hours, and expressing sexual interest.