JU students keep proctor’s office locked for two months over failure to check sexual offences

The proctor’s office at Jahangirnagar University (JU) has remained under lock and key for more than two months, as students continue their protest demanding the resignation of Proctor Professor AKM Rashidul Alam over what they describe as his failure to ensure campus safety.

The office was locked on 16 May after students launched a movement following an attempted rape of a female student on campus four days earlier. More than two months and 10 days later, the office remains inaccessible.

Protesting students alleged that the current proctor has repeatedly failed to ensure the safety of female students. They claimed that several serious incidents of violence occurred during his tenure without effective administrative action. Following the attempted rape, they declared the proctor persona non grata on campus and vowed not to remove the lock until he resigns.

In response to the protests, the university administration formed a seven-member investigation committee on 17 May. The committee was tasked with determining accountability for the attempted rape and attempted murder of the female student by an outsider, identifying those responsible for any security lapses, and submitting its findings and recommendations within seven working days.

University sources said the committee’s report was presented at the Syndicate meeting on 15 June. However, students demanded that the report and its recommendations be made public, a request the administration has yet to fulfil.

Two Syndicate members, speaking on condition of anonymity, told this correspondent that the committee recommended forming an effective proctorial body and advised the proctor to perform his duties more actively and responsibly. However, the university administration has yet to take any visible steps to implement the recommendation. Protesters also remain firm in their demand for the proctor’s resignation.

Meanwhile, more than two months after the attempted rape, law enforcement agencies have yet to arrest the main suspect, leaving students concerned about justice and campus security.

During the same period, several other incidents involving the harassment of female students have further heightened concerns over campus safety.

On 30 June, students detained an outsider accused of secretly attempting to record videos inside a women’s washroom at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC). On 3 July, they also detained a former Jubo Dal leader from Dhamrai for allegedly taking photographs of female students without their consent. Protesters argued that the recurrence of such incidents demonstrates the proctor’s failure to ensure the safety of female students.

Anika Tabassum Farabi, a student of the Department of Anthropology, said, “Students locked the proctor’s office following the attempted rape. Since then, several more incidents of harassment against women have occurred, yet the proctor has failed to provide adequate security. When someone repeatedly fails to protect female students, it clearly shows that he has completely failed in his responsibilities.”

Contacted for comment, Vice-Chancellor Professor Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan said the investigation committee had made several recommendations to strengthen campus security. These include forming a Quick Response Team, launching an emergency hotline, making it mandatory for teachers and students to carry university identity cards, and ensuring effective restrictions on the entry of outsiders.

 “The committee also identified negligence on the part of several individuals and provided recommendations accordingly. We are taking steps to establish an effective proctorial body,” he said.

Acknowledging challenges in restructuring the proctorial body, the vice-chancellor said, “There is a shortage of personnel, along with issues related to assigning and coordinating responsibilities. The committee also recommended that the proctorial body adopt a more inclusive approach in its engagement with students.”

Asked whether the committee’s full recommendations would be made public, he said, “We cannot officially disclose them until the Syndicate resolution is published. However, we will work to implement the committee’s recommendations.”

Expressing disappointment over the failure to arrest the main suspect, the vice-chancellor added, “It is deeply unfortunate that the accused has not yet been arrested. We met the Home Minister on 2 June, and following that meeting, the case was transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). We remain in regular contact with law enforcement agencies and hope they will arrest the suspect soon.”