Be strict against ragging, bullying

The cafeteria at Khulna University prohibits the entry of first and second-year students. Additionally, these students are not allowed to roll up their shirt sleeves or engage in loud speaking or laughter. Any violation of these regulations will result in verbal and psychological abuse, as well as prolonged detention in the classroom after class hours. Disturbingly, senior students at KU sometimes harass their junior counterparts in various locations on campus.

According to Prothom Alo's correspondent at KU, a second-year student was subjected to harassment by three senior students in his presence. Furthermore, at least 15 students have shared their experiences of mistreatment with him.

Amanullah, a student in the mass communication and journalism discipline, is among the victims. He was confined for five hours and subjected to physical and psychological abuse by senior students in his discipline. His offense was simply entering the campus with rolled-up sleeves. Another student in the architecture discipline has lodged a complaint with the Director of Student Affairs (DSA) after enduring mental abuse.

The academic year for first-year students commenced on August 16th, with students from various parts of the country newly arriving on campus. It is deeply unfortunate that they are being exposed to such a hostile environment during the initial days of their university life.

In 2020, Supreme Court lawyer Ishrat Hasan filed a writ petition to combat ragging and bullying in educational institutions. As a result, the court mandated the establishment of anti-ragging committees in all educational institutions, particularly public and private universities and affiliated colleges, to provide immediate assistance to victims and take prompt action against those involved.

If Khulna University had adhered to these court directives, no student would have suffered. However, Professor Sharif Hasan, the Director of Student Affairs at Khulna University, seems to have somewhat neglected this offense. He stated that the university organizes orientation programs for first-year students to prevent such incidents.In addition, they provide students with guidance and support. Despite their diligent efforts, they have been unable to effectively address the issue of ragging and bullying within the campus.

Numerous victims of ragging experience a loss of interest in their studies, while many suffer from mental complications and endure the lasting trauma associated with such experiences. A notable example is Fulpari Khatun, a student at Islamic University, who only resumed her studies after the intervention of the High Court. It is worth mentioning that the accused individuals were affiliated with the student wing of the ruling party, yet they were unable to escape punishment.

It is evident that positive outcomes are only achieved when the authorities adhere to the rulings of the court. We hope for a similar outcome in the case of Khulna University.

On Friday, the students of Khulna University staged a protest by blocking the Khulna-Satkhira highway in response to an attack on one of their fellow students in Khulna city, as reported by news agency UNB. The students positioned themselves at the Gollamari Mor intersection of the highway at approximately 1:00 pm and chanted various slogans. The blockade persisted for approximately two and a half hours, causing a significant number of vehicles to become stranded on both sides of the highway. The students withdrew the blockade at around 3:30 pm after receiving assurances from the relevant authorities that their two-point demand would be met.

According to sources on campus, Shafayet Sagar, a fourth-year student in the Mathematics department of Khulna University, engaged in a verbal altercation with a truck driver at around 11:30 am. The truck driver and his assistant proceeded to physically assault Shafayet, causing him injury. Additionally, two police officers behaved inappropriately towards the students and threatened to file a case against them.

Upon learning of the incident, the students of Khulna University blocked the Khulna-Satkhira highway, demanding swift punishment for the police officers and attackers. The students dispersed from the road at around 3:30 pm after receiving assurances from Khulna (south division) deputy commissioner of police Mohammad Tajul Islam that action would be taken against the two police officers who misbehaved with the students and that two individuals had been arrested in connection with the incident.