Students of Jagannath University (JnU) seized 12 buses operated by transport firm Victor Classic on Saturday, in response to allegations of verbal abuse faced by a female student on one of the company’s buses.
The students also staged demonstrations demanding action against the alleged perpetrators.
The protest was sparked by a complaint from the female student, who recounted an incident on October 14. She alleged that while travelling from Notunbazar to Sadarghat with her sister, the bus abruptly announced that it would be going no further towards the original destination, upon reaching Gulistan.
Students protest market prices, demand Competition Commission resignations
The complainant and her sister had already paid the full fare (Notunbazar to Sadarghat), and accordingly believed they would get a refund for the portion of the journey that got cancelled by the bus. But when she requested this refund, the bus helper abused her verbally, she said. Even after she identified herself as a JnU student, the helper refused to budge and instead responded with threatening remarks.
The incident gained attention after the student shared her experience following a social media post about a similar case of harassment. She also filed her formal complaint to the university proctor's office.
Protests grip Begum Rokeya University over teasing of female student by outsiders
On Saturday, JnU students mobilised and took control of 12 buses owned by Victor Classic, although the accused bus helper remains beyond their grasp. Meanwhile the university administration, led by Proctor Mohammad Tajjamul Haque, met with two representatives of Victor Classic, named as Mohammad Dulal and Shah Alam, to discuss the issue. The bus owners assured the administration of prompt action and requested three days to resolve the matter, providing a written commitment.
Professor Haque stated that if the accused bus helper is not presented within the given timeframe, all Victor Classic bus services would be suspended, and legal measures would be taken against the individual.