JU teacher sacked over sexual harassment of student

The authorities of Jahangirnagar University (JU) have sacked Sanowar Siraj, an assistant professor at its Government and Politics department, for “sexually harassing” a female student of the department.

The decision was made at a syndicate meeting of the university chaired by JU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Farzana Islam on Tuesday night.

JU acting registrar Ramina Kaneez, also the syndicate secretary, on Wednesday confirmed reporters about the action taken against the teacher.

About the university’s decision, Sanowar Siraj said, “I didn’t get justice. It’s a biased decision. I had submitted some crucial documents but the authorities didn’t accept those.”

On September 19 last, a student of the 43th batch of the Government and Politics department, submitted a written complaint to the department chairman with the allegations of sexual harassment against Siraj.

Later on September 23, the student, a resident of Pritilata Hall, attempted suicide by taking dozens of sleeping pills at her hall room as the authorities allegedly tried to hush up the allegations of sexual harassment against the teacher.

As the issue of sexual harassment by the accused came to the limelight, the university students began protests, demanding punishment for Sanowar.

On September 25, Prof Nasrin Sultana, head of the department, forwarded the written complaint to the ‘Sexual Harassment Prevention Cell’ of the university following the suicide attempt of the victim.

The cell recommended the authorities to remove the accused from all types of academic and administrative activities of the university.

Later on September 29, the university authorities removed Sanowar from all types of academic and administrative activities following the allegations.