Students at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) are taking a stand against sexual harassment, rallying around a comprehensive 6-point demand following an incident of molestation against a fellow student. Third-year students from the Faculty of Animal Husbandry initiated a procession from their faculty, culminating at the administration building.
During the demonstration, students encircled the administrative building, boycotting classes and examinations to draw attention to their cause. The incident in question occurred on February 10, when the victim, heading to a practical class at Shahjalal Animal Nutrition Field Laboratory, faced harassment from a 20-25-year-old autorickshaw driver near the residential area of the Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA). The assailant attempted to lift her into the vehicle but fled when the victim raised an alarm.
The students’ demands include:
- Swift identification and justice for the accused CNG driver.
- Controlled movement of outsiders within the university premises.
- Comprehensive CCTV coverage across all university locations with adequate lighting.
- Mandatory specific uniforms for rickshaw and auto drivers with visible registration numbers.
- Ensuring accountability of the university’s security unit.
- Increase in the number of security personnel on campus.
Proctor Prof Dr Md Azharul Islam assured that the CNG driver’s vehicle number was obtained from CCTV footage, and the information has been shared with relevant security departments. A general diary (GD) has been lodged at Kotwali Model Police Station, with efforts underway to trace the accused CNG driver, as confirmed by Prof Dr Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, director of the University Security Council. This student-led movement aims to address and prevent incidents of sexual harassment, advocating for a safer campus environment.
