The Dhaka University (DU) unit of the Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) on Tuesday staged a protest rally on campus, demanding action over a threat made against a female student after she filed a writ petition with the High Court.
The writ petition challenged the candidacy of SM Farhad, who is contesting the upcoming Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) election under the Shibir-backed "United Student Alliance".
Soon after the petition was filed, Ali Hussain, a student of the sociology department, was accused of threatening Fahmida, a candidate from "Aporajeyo 71-Odommo 24 Panel".
The JCD rally began at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) and ended in front of the university's administrative building.
Abidul Islam Khan, who is contesting the post of vice-president from the Chhatra Dal panel, said, "Female students stood beside us during every crisis. We strongly condemn such open threats against them. We are committed to ensuring their freedom of speech, dress, and movement on campus."
Ganesh Chandra Roy Shahosh, president of DU JCD unit, said, "We have submitted around seven to eight complaints to the Chief Returning Officer so far, but no effective steps have been taken. We are concerned about whether a fair election can be held."
Leaders and activists, including several DUCSU candidates from the JCD panel, were present among others.
Earlier on Tuesday, the University Teachers Network called for exemplary punishment of the student who made the threat.
Three-member probe committee formed
On Monday, based on a written complaint by Naeem Hasan, the vice-president candidate of the Aporajeyo 71-Odommo 24 panel, the Proctor's Office formed a three-member special investigation committee.
The committee is headed by Assistant Proctor Mahbub Kaiser, with Shehreen Amin Bhuiyan and Rezaul Karim Shohag as members.
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