06/03/2025
Studentsâ Response Statement Condemning the Harassment of a Female Student, the Mobâs Attempt to Obstruct Justice, and Demanding Accountability at the University of Dhaka
6th March, 2025
We, the students of the Department of Management Information Systems, Faculty of Business Studies, University of Dhaka, express our unequivocal condemnation of the recent incident of harassment perpetrated against a female student of this university by a university staff member. Furthermore, we express our deep concern regarding the systemic failures that have allowed the accused to evade accountability, as well as the broader pattern of gender-based discrimination that continues to manifest in various forms within our society and academic institutions.
On March 5, 2024, a female student of the University of Dhaka was subjected to verbal harassment while walking near the Raju Memorial Sculpture on campus. The accused, Mostafa Asif Arnab, an assistant bookbinder at the University of Dhaka Central Library, approached the student and proceeded to make unsolicited and inappropriate remarks regarding her attire, questioning her decision not to wear a veil. The victim, in an effort to seek institutional redress, attempted to contact the University of Dhaka Proctorâs Office, at which point the accused absconded. The victim subsequently filed a formal complaint, leading to the arrest of the accused.
However, in a deeply troubling development, a group of individuals congregated outside Shahbagh Police Station, vociferously protesting the arrest and actively attempting to exert pressure upon law enforcement to secure the accusedâs release. The actions of these individuals constitute an egregious attempt to obstruct justice, foster impunity for perpetrators of harassment, and discourage survivors from seeking legal recourse.
This incident must not be viewed in isolation but rather as a manifestation of a broader societal issue in which women are subjected to undue scrutiny, coercion, and violations of their autonomy. The right of women to determine their attire free from external interference is an inherent and inviolable aspect of personal liberty.
Notably, in a separate but equally concerning incident, a female student of the Department of Bangla at the University of Dhaka was reportedly compelled to remove her niqab during an examination for identification purposes, an act that was in contravention of her religious beliefs and social norms. This act constitutes a direct infringement upon her right to religious freedom and personal expression, further underscoring the alarming reality that womenâs autonomy is being challenged from multiple directionsâboth by those who seek to impose restrictions on their dress and by those who seek to enforce conformity against their will.
These incidents collectively illustrate a pervasive culture in which women are disproportionately subjected to arbitrary and discriminatory treatment, whether through outright harassment or institutional mandates that fail to respect their individual rights and freedoms.
In light of the foregoing, we demand the following immediate and unequivocal actions:
1. Termination of Employment of the Accused â The University of Dhaka must take decisive action by immediately terminating Mostafa Asif Arnab from his position. No individual who has engaged in harassment should be permitted to remain in a position of employment within an academic institution.
2. Institutional Accountability for Obstruction of Justice â The relevant authorities must conduct a thorough investigation into the individuals who attempted to interfere with law enforcement proceedings by gathering outside the police station in an effort to secure the accusedâs release. Any actions that amount to the obstruction of justice must be met with appropriate legal consequences.
3. Implementation of Stringent Anti-Harassment Policies â The university must establish and enforce policies that provide clear consequences for harassment, including mechanisms for swift and effective disciplinary action against both staff and students who engage in such conduct.
4. Respect for Personal Autonomy and Religious Freedom â Institutional policies must be reformed to ensure that no student is subjected to coercion regarding their attire, whether through harassment by individuals or through administrative decisions that contravene their personal beliefs and freedoms.
5. Enhanced Support for Victims â The University of Dhaka must establish a comprehensive framework for supporting victims of harassment, ensuring that they receive legal, psychological, and institutional assistance without fear of retribution or intimidation.
6. Judicial and Legal Accountability â We call upon the legal system to reevaluate the lax approach taken in cases of harassment and gender-based violence. The granting of bail in this instance represents a failure to adequately consider the implications of allowing the accused to remain at large, potentially enabling further harm and discouraging victims from seeking justice in the future.
The safety, dignity, and autonomy of women must be safeguarded without compromise. The University of Dhaka bears an institutional obligation to foster an environment that is free from harassment, intimidation, and discrimination. As students, we stand in solidarity with the victims of these incidents and demand immediate corrective action. We shall continue to advocate for a campus culture that upholds the fundamental rights of all individuals, ensuring that justice is not merely a principle in theory but a reality in practice.
General Students
Department of Management Information System
Faculty of Business Studies
University of Dhaka
