Students of the department of Mass Communication and Journalism at Dhaka University on Monday held a press conference, expressing concerns over the delay of investigation reports on professor Naadir Junaid, against whom allegations of sexual abuse and academic misdemeanour had been made.
The conference was held in front of the faculty of social sciences at about 11:00am where students from running batches of the department attended.
In a written statement, Rafij Khan, a student of the department, said that on March 3, a fact-finding committee was formed to investigate the allegation of sexual harassment against professor Naadir Junaid at a syndicate meeting of the university, while another probe body was formed to investigate another allegation of lowering the grades of master鈥檚 results of the 12th batch.
The committee, investigating the allegations of sexual harassment, was asked to submit its report within two weeks, but no visible progress was seen even after two months, he added.
Rafij alleged that a vested quarter was trying to hush up the matter and deprive the victim of justice.
The agitating students also alleged that an attempt was being made to save the accused teacher by giving him a minor penalty.
They, however, threatened tougher movement if all their demands were not met.
They said that the university administration must inform them the progress of the investigation within the next three working days, otherwise, general students of the department would be forced to take to the streets again to ensure justice for the victim.
鈥業f the allegations, against the teacher, are proven, he should be permanently expelled from the university and also legal action should be taken against him under state law,鈥� they added.
On February 7, students from the 12th batch of MCJ department alleged that professor Naadir Junaid lowered their grades in master鈥檚 result over personal feud.
On February 10, a female student of the department filed a complaint with DU proctor, seeking justice for sexual harassment and mental torture against professor Naadir.
Subsequently, a student of another university in the capital also filed another written complaint with DU proctor over 鈥榮exual harassment鈥� against the same professor.
On March 3, DU Syndicate meeting, the highest policy making body of the university, formed two separate bodies to investigate the allegations of grade tampering and sexual harassment.
