Students at Khulna University (KU) detained a 24-year-old canteen worker from Bijoy 24 Hall over allegations that a mobile phone had been placed secretly in the hall’s women’s washroom to record video. The incident took place at 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21.
Demanding a proper trial in the case and overall security on campus, students declared all academic and administrative activities at Khulna University closed from Wednesday morning, July 22.
According to students, they examined the matter after spotting a suspicious mobile phone in the hall’s women’s washroom. The canteen worker, who had worked at the hall canteen for about two years and is the son of the canteen owner, was then detained on allegations of involvement.
Students allege that multiple secret videos were found on the phone used by the accused, and that he had for a long time been secretly recording video through a gap in the washroom ventilator and sharing it in various Telegram groups. As news spread, intense anger and fears over security spread among the hall’s resident students. Students then held the accused and informed the university administration.
Alleging indifference by the university administration in cases of sexual-harassment offences, and demanding a proper trial, students announced a protest rally at the university’s Hadi Chattar at noon on Wednesday, July 23.
They said that although a long time had passed since the incident, no effective step had been seen from the administration. They also alleged that past cases of sexual harassment of students by teachers had brought no proper justice.
They announced that all administrative and academic activities on campus would remain closed until a proper trial of the harassment case and punishment of the guilty were ensured. In line with that, protesting students padlocked the university’s main gate, various pocket gates and the administrative building.
Asked about the matter, the provost of Bijoy ’24 Hall said an investigation into the incident was under way. It would not be appropriate to comment before the inquiry was complete, the provost said, adding that information and the steps taken would be shared after the inquiry report was received.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report