Jahangirnagar University
2 more arrested over rape on JU campus
Two more suspects were arrested in connection with the rape of a woman after holding her husband captive on the Jahangirnagar University (JU) campus on February 3.
They are Mamunur Rashid alias Mamun, the main plotter of the incident, and Md. Murad.
Butterfly fair held at Jahangirnagar University
Tipped off, RAB-4 conducted drives in the capital’s Farmgate and Naogaon district simultaneously and arrested Mamun and Murad respectively, said RAB Headquarters Legal and Media Wing Assistant Director ASP Al Amin.
Earlier on Feb 4, four people including a Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) leader were arrested over the incident.
Jahangirnagar University's exam irregularities raise concerns among students
The arrestees were identified as Mustafizur Rahman Khan, a student of the 45th batch of International Relations Department and international affairs secretary of BCL, JU unit. The other arrestees are Mostafa Monwar alias Sagar Siddique, Hasanuzzaman, students of International Relations department and Sabbir Hossain, a student of Botany department, for helping the prime accused to escape.
Daylong bird fair at Jahangirnagar University Friday
Meanwhile, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has formed a three-member committee to review the steps taken by Jahangirnagar University (JU) over the rape incident.
UGC Chairman (Additional Charge) Professor Dr Muhammad Alamgir said the committee members will visit the university on Thursday.
Husband held captive, wife raped on JU campus
In a harrowing incident at Jahangirnagar University (JU), allegations have emerged against two individuals – including a Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) leader – of raping a woman after holding her husband captive in a residential hall.
The incident, which took place on Saturday (February 03, 2024) night around 9:30 pm near the Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall’s adjacent forest, has led to the suspension of the accused from the university unit of BCL.
The accused have been identified as Mostafizur Rahman, a 45th batch student of the Department of International Relations at Jahangirnagar University, and Mamun, a 45-year-old outsider. Mostafizur, a resident student of Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall and the International Affairs Secretary of the university’s Chhatra League unit, is known to be a follower of the unit president Akhtaruzzaman Sohel. Both Mostafizur and Mamun have been on the run since the incident.
Inspector Abdur Rasik of Savar Model Police Station reported that the victim personally informed the police of the ordeal. “We are heading to the scene for preliminary investigation. Further actions will depend on the investigation’s outcome,” he stated.
Following the incident’s exposure, over 50 students staged a protest in front of Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall, demanding answers from the administration with slogans such as “Why are there rapists on campus?” and “We want a rape-free campus.”
The victim, a resident of Ashulia, revealed that the accused Mamun used to rent a room in their house and had prior acquaintance with Mostafizur. Mamun occasionally stayed with Mostafizur in Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall. Mamun had invited her husband to visit the university under the pretext of purchasing furniture.
On the evening of the incident, the victim’s husband informed Mamun about their plan to buy furniture. Mamun then instructed the husband to call his wife to the university, suggesting she bring some clothes for Mamun as he would be staying on campus for a few days.
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Subsequently, Mostafizur and Mamun confined the victim’s husband in room 317 of the ‘A’ block of Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall. When the woman arrived with the clothes, Mamun took them and later deceived her into going to the forested area near the hall under the pretense of meeting her husband from another gate, where she alleges both men raped her.
Despite multiple attempts to contact Mostafizur, he remained unresponsive. His phone was later found to be turned off.
Professor Sabbir Alam, provost of Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall, stated, “I have heard about the incident. Actions will be taken based on the investigation.” Efforts are underway to identify the accused through CCTV footage.
Akhtaruzzaman Sohel, president of the university unit of Chhatra League, announced that Mostafizur had been temporarily expelled from the organization, with recommendations for permanent expulsion to be sent to the central committee.
ASM Firoz-ul-Hasan, the university’s proctor, affirmed, “Regardless of who is involved, we will ensure punishment through both law and university regulations.”
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JU students boycott online classes demanding in-person classes
Demanding in-person classes, first-year students of the 52nd batch in Jahangirnagar University boycotted online classes on Wednesday.
Class representatives of various departments said that the students of 16 departments and one institute boycotted the class.
Butterfly fair held at Jahangirnagar University
The departments include History, Mathematics, Chemistry, Anthropology, Philosophy, International Relations, English, Journalism and Media Studies, Computer Science and Engineering, Pharmacy, Zoology, Management Studies, Law and Justice, Fine Arts, Environmental Science, Bangla department and Bangabandhu Institute of Comparative Literature and Culture.
Wishing anonymity, a student of Journalism and Media Studies said they were told that offline classes would be held after the national elections.
Jahangirnagar University's exam irregularities raise concerns among students
“Election is over, but no initiative has yet to be taken from the administration”, the student added.
Another student said they face many hurdles while doing online classes at home. They suffer because of internet connection or devices, and lack of a suitable environment for class.
The students are also concerned about attendance marks.
Daylong bird fair at Jahangirnagar University Friday
Dean and Chairman of Law and Justice Assistant Professor Dr. Tapos Kumar Das said: "We didn’t get any kind of instruction from the university administration for in-person classes."
Prof Dr.Nurul Alam, vice-chancellor of the university, could not be reached over phone for comments despite repeated attempts.
JU student hit by truck in Dhaka’s Purbachal dies from injuries
A student of Jahangirnagar University, who was undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital after being hit by a truck on Friday, died Sunday noon.
The deceased was identified as Fabiha Afifa Srijani, a student of the university’s Economics Department.
Fabiha was put on life support at the hospital and breathed her last at 12:30 pm, said Rony Hossain, an assistant proctor of the university.
Two bikers killed in separate road accidents in Dhaka
Fabiha was injured when the truck hit her while she was crossing the road along with her younger sister in the city's Purbachal area on Friday.
Later, she was taken to Evercare Hospital in Bashundhara.
Traffic police killed in Gaibandha road accident; 3 arrested
JU pharmacy students suffering due to session jam
Session jam in the pharmacy department of Jahangirnagar University took a heavy toll on the students of the 2016-17 session, as they are still waiting for their honors 3rd-year final examination results, while their batchmates in other departments have already graduated.
Students of that department sat for their 3rd-year final examination more than a year ago. The results are yet to be published, and the department has already taken their 4th-year final examination.
Now the students are in a quandary about whether they would lose another two academic years if they needed to re-admit in the same year.
As the department has already taken the 4th year’s examination before publishing the 3rd year’s results, students who get F grades in more than two subjects will lose another two years.
Because they would then have to sit for the same exams with two batches of junior session (2018-19 session), as their immediate batch’s (2017-18 session) examination of the third year was already held.
Dr. Mohammad Didare Alam Muhsin, chairman of the pharmacy department, stressed that the department took the 4th-year final examination to reduce session jams.
When the JU correspondent of UNB contacted Dr. Farid Ahmed, then exam controller and the current dean of the Mathematical and Physical Sciences faculty, he declined to comment on the matter.
“I can’t recall anything now. So I won’t comment on this matter,” he said.
Also Read: JU student alleges torture by Chhatra League activists
Md. Masudur Rahman, then deputy controller of the Office of the Controller of Examination, echoed his senior, saying, “I’m on leave for preparatory retirement (LPR) now. Just as I left my duties, I erased everything from my memory in seven days."
According to the rules of the university, if any students fail in two subjects and have a minimum CGPA, they can continue their studies with their own batch. But if any student fails in more than two subjects, they will have to drop a year.
The university rules also state that the results of the final examination must be published within three months.
Preferring anonymity, a former dean of the university confirmed that no special permission was obtained from the vice chancellor as per university rules.
Associate Professor of the department, Tania Binte Wahid, was the chairman of the exam committee for the third year, and Prof. Sohel Rana and Associate Professor Sukalyan Kumar Kunda were members.
Tania Binte Wahid took leave from the university and went abroad without publishing their results, according to administrative sources.
Five months after appointing another chairman, Prof. Mafruhi Sattar, the matter is still up in the air.
The students also allege that, even though the department took their theoretical examination, they are still in the dark about their "industrial training," without which they won’t be able to graduate.
The students are yet to know whether they will be able to graduate, and they are deeply concerned about their careers.
Seeking anonymity, one of the students said, “Our friends in other departments have already graduated, and we are still waiting for our third-year results.”
“We can’t take part in any competitive examinations like BCS or even in jobs in our subject-related field," they continued.
They also allege that this situation came to this point because their teachers were too busy taking classes at private universities.
Dr. Mohammad Didare Alam Muhsin, chairman of the pharmacy department, said the session jam was created mainly due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“We only had permission to take theoretical exams online during that time. We are planning to take the practical examination,” he said.
He said the department contacted several companies for their industrial training.
“We hope to solve this problem soon,” he added.
The chairman of the exam committee, Prof. Mafruhi Sattar, couldn't be reached.
JU student alleges torture by Chhatra League activists
A Jahangirnagar University student has allegedly been tortured by some activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League for not attending guest room and political programmes.
The victim, Sakibul Islam Farabbi, a student of the 49th batch of Statistics Department at the University and a resident of Biswakabi Rabindranath Tagore Hall, gave a written complaint to the provost of the hall regarding the torture incident.
The incident took place last Friday (February 24) around 2 am at the university’s Rabindranath Tagore Hall.
Also Read: 'Special exam' at JU: Opportunity turns to burden for students
The accused BCL men are Junaid Hasan Rana of English Department, Naimul Islam Sagar of Pharmacy Department, Atiq Shahriar of History Department, Mohtashim Billah of Fine Arts Department, Utsa and Kabbo of Government and Politics Department, Junaid Ivan of Mathematics Department, Imran Mirza of Biochemistry and Bioscience Department and Saikat Islam of Physics Department.
They are the students of the 48th batch of the University and followers of JU BCL unit president Akhtaruzzaman Shohel. They’re also residents of Biswakabi Rabindranath Tagore hall.
According to the written complaint, the BCL activists called the students of batch 49 of room no 216 to room no. 219 at 2 am on February 24. Later, the students were physically and mentally abused in various ways by the Chhatra League activists.
The BCL men later locked the rooms of the students and forced them to spend the night in the guest room.
While talking to UNB, Farabbi said, “the BCL men asked me why I didn't attend the guest room and political programs? I said I was away for a departmental tour and was also preoccupied with my exams.”
Later, the BCL men asked Farabbi to leave the hall.
“After they asked me to leave the hall, I said this hall was allocated in my name and I won’t leave.Then they asked me to undress. So when I refused to undress, they got angry and started beating me,” Farabi said.
“My friends came from the next room and took me away after hearing my screams. Then we spent the rest of the night in the guest room of the hall,” Farabbi told UNB.
However, the accused BCL men denied the allegations of torture.
Denying the allegations, Atiq Shahriar, one of the accused, said that there was no incident of beating or torture.
“The complainant was misbehaving with his friends. He threw one of his friends out of the room. So we went to convince him,” he said.
Another accused, Imran Mirza, claimed the allegation was ‘baseless.’
However, Shakib, a student of the International Department and a witness of the incident, said, "I moved from the room after hearing the sound of slapping."
“Then I saw some of our seniors from the 48th batch beating Farabbi. Later, I escorted him out of the room," he added.
Aktaruzzaman Sohel, president of the university unit BCL, said, "The Chhatra League has declared zero tolerance against ragging.”
“Such incidents are not acceptable. If the allegation of torture is true, organizational action will be taken against those involved,” said Sohel.
Professor Nazmul Hossain Talukder, the provost of Rabindranath Tagore Hall, said strict action will be taken following an investigation.
6th convocation of Jahangirnagar University on February 25
The 6th convocation of Jahangirnagar University (JU) will be held on February 25, said the university authorities.
The convocation will be held at 3:30 pm, said a notification signed by Shatarupa Talukder, senior assistant secretary of the Department of Secondary and Higher Education of the Education Ministry.
The first convocation of Jahangirnagar University was held in 1997.
The second convocation was held in 2001 and the fifth and last convocation of the university was held in 2015, it said.
Former VC of JU Alauddin passes away
Former vice-chancellor of Jahangirnagar University (JU) Alauddin died at a hospital in the city on Tuesday. He was 74.
Alauddin, also a freedom fighter, breathed his last at United Hospital in the city at 3:25 pm, said a media release of Jahangirnagar University.
He served as VC of the JU from July 18, 1998 to December 9, 1999. Before that he was the deputy vice-chancellor of the university.
He was also elected as the member of Parliament in 2001 from Kishoreganj-1 constituency.
Read more: Former DU VC AKM Siddiq passes away
Alauddin served as the education, social development and political affairs advisor to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from 2009 to 2013.
Born in 1947 at Pakundia upazila of Kishoreganj, Alauddin obtained MSc in 1971 from Dhaka University.
He also served as the deputy magistrate and deputy collector of Bangladesh Government from 1973-1977.
Alauddin joined as a professor of Chemistry Department of Jahangirnagar University in 1975.
JU VC Dr Mohammad Nurul Alam expressed deep shock at the demise of Alauddin. He also expressed deep sympathy to the bereaved family members.
PM shocked at Prof Dr Alauddin Ahmed’s death
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday expressed shock and sorrow at the death of her former adviser, former vice chancellor of Jahangirnagar University and valiant freedom fighter Prof Dr Alauddin Ahmed.
In a condolence message, she said people of the country will remember his contribution in education and politics with gratitude.
Read more: PM shocked at death of journalist Toab Khan
She prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed soul and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family.
Commuters suffer as JU BCL blocks Dhaka-Aricha highway
The Jahangirnagar University unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) on Friday blocked the Dhaka-Aricha highway, protesting the anarchy unleashed by BNP in the capital's Nayapaltan on Wednesday.
It caused immense sufferings to the people who attempted to reach or leave the capital city. The BCL action came ahead of the BNP's Dhaka rally on Saturday,
The BCL brought out a procession at 4:00pm and blocked the highway for about one hour.
Akhteruzzaman Sohel, president of JU BCL unit said, "We are in the street to protest against the attack on law enforcement agencies by BNP leaders and activists at Nayapaltan".
Read more: BNP set to hold rally in Dhaka to start simultaneous anti-govt movement
"However, we are keeping an eye on the smooth journey of emergency vehicles including ambulances", he added.
Mohammad Roni Hossain, assistant proctor of Jahangirnagar University, said the JU BCL unit took to the street to protest against the BNP's ongoing terrorism and anarchy.
But emergency services remained normal despite the blockade, he said.