Protests erupt at DU after candidate threatened with 'gang rape'

A Dhaka University (DU) student has been accused of threatening a DUCSU candidate with 'gang rape', sparking protests from student groups. The DU administration has formed a committee to investigate the allegation.

The allegation was raised against Ali Hossain, a student of the Sociology Department (2020-21 session) and a resident of Shahid Sergeant Zahurul Haque Hall.

On Monday, following a High Court order that suspended the DUCSU election - after a writ petition filed by Aparajeyo '71-Odommo '24 panel candidate B M Fahmida Alam - Ali posted on Facebook, "Instead of protesting the High Court order, it would be better to hold a march for her gang rape first."

Although Ali later apologised in a video message and claimed he was not involved with any political organisation, students alleged that he frequently joined programmes of different groups.

The post drew immediate backlash. That night, a protest march started from Jagannath Hall, joined by students from different organisations.

At 9:30 pm, Islami Chhatra Shibir held a press conference, condemning the remark and accused its rivals of running propaganda by linking Ali with the student wing.

On the following day, Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) organised a protest rally at TSC. Its activists marched to the vice-chancellor's office and staged a sit-in, chanting slogans demanding Ali's expulsion.

Speaking at the rally, JCD VP candidate Abidul Islam Khan said, "Since August 5, women's freedom of dress and speech has been suppressed by a secretive group. Now, on this campus, a student has threatened to gangrape his classmate. Yet the administration and the state have taken no action. We demand Ali's immediate arrest and academic punishment."

Shibir also staged a separate demonstration, marching from the National Press Club to Shahbag in the capital. Its leaders claimed that conspiracies were underway to shut down student unions across the country.

Shibir Secretary General Nurul Islam Saddam alleged: "From London, orders are being given to stop the DUCSU and hall union elections."

Meanwhile, the DU administration formed a three-member probe committee on Tuesday - following applications from Shibir-backed GS candidate S M Farhad and left-aligned VP candidate Md Naim Hasan.

According to a press release - signed by Assistant Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed - Assistant Proctor Muhammad Mahbub Kayser was appointed convener of the committee, with assistant proctors Sheherin Amin Bhuiya and Md Rezaul Karim Sohag as members.

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