Student abuse at Islamic University, Kushtia

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Abuse of Fulpori Khatun at Islamic University, Bangladesh
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Islamic University
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Location of Islamic University in Kushtia, Bangladesh
Location Islamic University, Bangladesh
Coordinates 23°43′15″N89°08′59″E / 23.7207°N 89.1497°E / 23.7207; 89.1497
DateFebruary 12, 2023 (2023-02-12)
23:00–03:30 (BST)
TargetFulpori Khatun
Attack type
  • Physical and mental abuse
  • sexual harassment
WeaponsNone
Deaths0
Injured1
VictimsFulpori Khatun
Perpetrators
  • Sanjida Chowdhury Antora
  • Tabassum Islam
  • Halima Akter Urmi
  • Israt Jahan Mim
  • Muabiya Jahan
Assailants Bangladesh Chhatra League members
No. of participants
5–6
DefendersNone
MotiveRetaliation for not following instructions and asserting authority
InquiryInvestigation by Islamic University, Bangladesh, High Court, and Bangladesh Chhatra League
Accused
  • Sanjida Chowdhury Antora
  • Tabassum Islam
  • Halima Akter Urmi
  • Israt
  • Jahan Mim
  • Muabiya Jahan
Convicted
  • Sanjida Chowdhury Antora
  • Tabassum Islam
  • Halima Akter Urmi
  • Israt Jahan Mim
  • Muabiya Jahan
VerdictPermanent expulsion from Islamic University
ConvictionsPermanent expulsion
Charges
  • Physical abuse
  • mental abuse
  • sexual harassment
LitigationWrit petition filed by Gazi Mohammad Mohsin
Judge
The case sparked widespread protests and led to significant changes in university policies regarding bullying and ragging.

In 2023, student abuse at Islamic University, Kushtia refers to the physical and mental abuse of IU student Fulpori Khatun. [1] [2] This incident came to public attention through local media, sparking widespread condemnation across the country. [3] [4] Many academics, researchers, and social organizations protested the matter and expressed concern. [5] Several top-tier universities in the country also voiced their protest. [6] Many people welcomed Fulpori's courageous stand. The National Human Rights Commission of Bangladesh issued a statement regarding the abuse of Fulpori. The newspaper Prothom Alo stated that this was the most courageous protest in recent years. Although the accused students were initially suspended for one year, on August 22, by order of the High Court, the five students were permanently expelled from Islamic University. The victim, Fulpori, believes that the justice delivered by the court and the university will serve as a precedent. [7]

Contents

Background

Fulpori Khatun was a student of the 2022–23 academic year. Despite qualifying for admission to multiple universities through the GST cluster admission test, she enrolled in the Finance and Banking Department of Islamic University. Her home is in the village of Shibpur, located in Atgharia Upazila of Pabna district. Fulpori attended her first class of the first year on February 8. In that class, Tabassum, a student from the 2020–21 academic year of the same department, asked the new students who among them resided in Desh Ratna Sheikh Hasina Hall. Fulpori raised her hand. As she had moved into the hall without informing Tabassum, the latter became irritated and asked her to meet in room number Projapoti-2 of the same hall. After class, Fulpori stayed as a guest with a known resident student of Sheikh Hasina Hall. But due to illness, Fulpori was unable to meet Tabassum in room Projapoti-2. Following a campus closure on the 9th and 10th, when Fulpori attended class on the 11th, Tabassum scolded her.

Abuse

As a result of the incident, on the night of February 12 around 11 PM, Chhatra League Vice-President Sanjida Chowdhury summoned her to the hall's common room named "Doel." A group of 5–6 individuals subjected her to various forms of physical abuse in that room until approximately 3:30 AM. [8] Fulpori was punched, slapped, and hit, and even had her foot pricked with a pin. She was subjected to various obscene insults. She was forcibly made to lick dirty dining glasses, her mouth was tied with a towel, and she was beaten, and she was sexually harassed. [9] [10] She was choked with a towel tied around her neck, and when she held their feet and begged for forgiveness, she was kicked. [11] At one point, she was stripped naked and filmed with a mobile phone. [12]

She was told that if she disclosed this abuse, she would be expelled from the hall, the video would be spread on the internet, and she would be killed in exchange for speaking out. [13] She was then told: "You will go to the provost, take all the blame upon yourself, and leave the hall permanently. Never return here again." According to Fulpori, she pleaded for forgiveness from the abusers many times, but they didn't listen. [14]

The day after the abuse, Fulpori returned to her village home in Pabna. Later, on February 14, she came back to campus with her father and submitted a four-page written complaint against the abusers. That same night, she returned home again. [15] During an interview with BBC Bangla, Fulpori said, "At the time of the abuse, I felt like I might die today. I felt like I was slowly dying." [3]

After the news of the abuse was published in newspapers, Sanjida Chowdhury told the media that the report was false and was being spread as propaganda to tarnish the image of Chhatra League. [16] After the incident in the common room, many left the hall out of fear and went back home. [17] In addition to Fulpori, several other female students also brought allegations of mental abuse against them. [18]

Names of the abusers

Fulpori reported that the abusers were a group of 5–6 individuals. All members of the group were leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Chhatra League. [19] Initially, they were temporarily suspended on March 4. Later, on August 22, they were permanently expelled from Islamic University for life. [20] The list of the group members is as follows:

Individuals Expelled in Connection with the Fulpori Khatun Abuse Case
NameAcademic sessionDepartmentPosition / affiliationDisciplinary action
Sanjida Chowdhury Antora2017–18StatisticsVice President, IUBAT Chhatra LeaguePermanently Expelled
Tabassum Islam2020–21Finance and BankingMember, IUBAT Chhatra LeaguePermanently expelled
Halima Akter Urmi2020–21Fine ArtsMember, IUBAT Chhatra LeaguePermanently expelled
Israt Jahan Mim2020–21LawMember, IUBAT Chhatra LeaguePermanently expelled
Muabiya Jahan2020–21Finance and BankingMember, IUBAT Chhatra LeaguePermanently expelled

Investigation of the incident

On February 15, Vice-Chancellor Sheikh Abdus Salam organized an emergency discussion meeting on the matter, [21] and a five-member investigation committee was formed with Reba Mondol from the Department of Law as its head. [22] [23] On the same day, the Central Committee of the Chhatra League also formed another investigation committee regarding the incident, and a former student of Islamic University, lawyer Gazi Mohammad Mohsin, filed a writ petition in the High Court seeking punishment for the perpetrators.

The day after the writ was filed, following the hearing, the High Court bench of Justice JBM Hassan and Rajik Al Jalil issued an urgent directive to the Deputy Commissioner of Kushtia to form a three-member investigation committee. During the investigation, the High Court, citing security concerns, ordered that the two main accused be kept off campus and termed the case "alarming." [24]

The High Court ordered the two accused Chhatra League leaders to appear in court and instructed the university to ensure the safety of the educational environment and student life on campus. Additionally, the High Court advised the university to draft laws against bullying and ragging. [25]

Reactions

Immediately after the incident, the Islamic University (IU) branch of the Student Union held a silent protest demanding justice and punishment for the abuse. [26] The Dhaka University branch of the Student Union also expressed their protest. [27] The National Human Rights Commission and Ain o Salish Kendra also condemned the incident in separate statements, describing the act as "barbaric and repugnant." [28] Former government adviser Rasheda K. Choudhury, Shahjalal University professor Nazia Choudhury, Islamic University professor Zahurul Islam, Dhaka University professor Tanzimuddin, Jahangirnagar University professor Rayhan Rain, Rajshahi University professor Farid Uddin Khan, Khulna University professor Abdullah Harun Chowdhury, and Chittagong University teacher Suborna Majumder [29] all applauded and praised Phulpori’s courageous protest. The Chairman of the Human Rights Commission, Mizanur Rahman, called for swift legal action, Additionally, Jahangirnagar University economist Anu Muhammad and journalist Kamal Ahmed condemned the abuse of Phulpori and expressed deep concern. Twenty-seven prominent individuals from both within and outside the country—including lawyers, writers, university professors, researchers, and women’s rights activists—jointly expressed concern about the abuse and issued a public statement through the media. [30] [31]

Expulsion order

Following a preliminary investigation, the High Court issued an order on March 1 to temporarily expel the five accused students, and on March 4, the university administration officially suspended them in accordance with regulations. The five students were served legal notices asking why they should not face disciplinary action. Initially, they were asked to respond by March 15, but due to delays, the deadline was extended to April 5. But Phulpori had been demanding their permanent expulsion from the beginning. On April 5, all five submitted their replies to the show-cause notices, and on May 15, this information was submitted to the court. [32] [33] On June 12, the five accused appeared in person on campus to present their statements and defend themselves. After reviewing all information and hearing everyone’s statements, the university administration ordered the permanent expulsion of the five students for one year.

References

  1. ↑ ইসলামী বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের হলে ছাত্রীকে সাড়ে ৪ ঘণ্টা নির্যাতন, নেতৃত্বে ছাত্রলীগ নেত্রী. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 14 February 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  2. ↑ অবশেষে ক্ষমা চাইলেন ইবির অভিযুক্ত ছাত্রলীগ নেত্রীরা. Deutsche Welle (in Bengali). Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  3. 1 2 ফুলপরী খাতুন: কুষ্টিয়ার যে প্রতিবাদী মেয়েটি সাহসিকতার উদাহরণ তৈরি করেছে. BBC Bangla (in Bengali). 28 February 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  4. ↑ ছাত্রলীগকে থামানোর চেষ্টা নেই. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 17 February 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  5. ↑ বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় প্রশাসন দায় এড়াবে কীভাবে. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 17 February 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  6. ↑ ইসলামী বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের ছাত্রী ফুলপরী দিলেন ভয়ের সংস্কৃতি ও অন্যায়ের বিরুদ্ধে বার্তা. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 20 February 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  7. ↑ এই ন্যায়বিচার বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ে দৃষ্টান্ত হয়ে থাকবে: ইবি শিক্ষার্থী ফুলপরী. The Daily Ittefaq (in Bengali). Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  8. ↑ ইসলামী বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ে ছাত্রলীগের ৫ নেতা-কর্মীর সিট বাতিল. Deutsche Welle (in Bengali). Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  9. ↑ ইসলামী বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ে ছাত্রী নির্যাতনের অভিযোগ ছাত্রলীগ নেত্রীর বিরুদ্ধে. The Daily Star (Bangladesh) . 14 February 2023. Archived from the original on 12 November 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  10. ↑ ইসলামী বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ে শিক্ষার্থী নির্যাতন: হাইকোর্টে তদন্ত প্রতিবেদন, ৬ শিক্ষার্থী অভিযুক্ত. Voice of America (in Bengali). 28 February 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  11. ↑ 'চিনিস আমাদের, আমরা কত খারাপ? আমরা তোর কী করতে পারি জানিস?'. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 14 February 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  12. ↑ ইবিতে শিক্ষার্থী নির্যাতনের ঘটনায় জেলা প্রশাসককে তদন্ত কমিটি গঠনের নির্দেশ. The Daily Star (Bangladesh) . 16 February 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  13. ↑ ইবিতে শিক্ষার্থী নির্যাতনের ঘটনায় জেলা প্রশাসককে তদন্ত কমিটি গঠনের নির্দেশ. The Daily Star (Bangladesh) . 16 February 2023. Archived from the original on 7 October 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  14. ↑ ইবিতে ছাত্রী লাঞ্ছনার অভিযোগ ছাত্রলীগের বিরুদ্ধে, রাতভর বিক্ষোভ. The Daily Star (Bangladesh) . 21 October 2022. Archived from the original on 14 October 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  15. ↑ ছাত্রলীগের নির্যাতনের শিকার ছাত্রী ক্যাম্পাসে ফিরতে চান, কিন্তু.... Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 15 February 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  16. ↑ ভুক্তভোগী ছাত্রীর বহিষ্কার দাবি নির্যাতনে অভিযুক্ত ছাত্রলীগ নেতাদের. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 14 February 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  17. ↑ ইসলামী বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ে ছাত্রী নির্যাতনের পর আতঙ্কে গণরুম ছাড়ছেন শিক্ষার্থীরা. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 16 February 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  18. ↑ ইসলামী বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের সেই ছাত্রলীগ নেত্রীর বিরুদ্ধে আরও যত অভিযোগ. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 18 February 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  19. ↑ ইসলামী বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ে শিক্ষার্থী নির্যাতনের ঘটনায় ছাত্রলীগের ১ নেত্রী ও ৪ কর্মী বহিষ্কার. Voice of America (in Bengali). 1 March 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  20. ↑ ফুলপরীকে নির্যাতন: সানজিদাসহ ৫ ছাত্রীকে বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় থেকে সাময়িক বহিষ্কার. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 4 March 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  21. ↑ ছাত্রী নির্যাতনের ঘটনায় জরুরি বৈঠক উপাচার্যের, হচ্ছে উচ্চপর্যায়ের কমিটি. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 15 February 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  22. ↑ ৫ সদস্যের তদন্ত কমিটির নেতৃত্বে আইন বিভাগের সভাপতি রেবা মণ্ডল. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 15 February 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  23. ↑ ছাত্রলীগের নির্যাতনের শিকার সেই ছাত্রীর খোঁজ নিচ্ছে না বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় প্রশাসন. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 16 February 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  24. ↑ তদন্তকালে ক্যাম্পাসে দুই নেত্রীর অবস্থান নয়: হাইকোর্ট. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 16 February 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  25. ↑ বুলিং বা র‍্যাগিং রোধে নীতিমালা থাকলে ইবির ঘটনা না–ও ঘটতে পারত: হাইকোর্ট. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 19 February 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  26. ↑ প্রশাসন শিক্ষার্থীদের নিরাপত্তা নিশ্চিত করতে ব্যর্থ: ছাত্র ইউনিয়ন. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 15 February 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  27. ↑ ইসলামী বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় : ছাত্রী নির্যাতনকারীদের বিচার চায় ছাত্রলীগও. Kaler Kantho . February 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  28. ↑ ইবিতে ছাত্রী নির্যাতনের ঘটনায় মানবাধিকার কমিশনের ক্ষোভ. Dhaka Post (in Bengali). 16 February 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  29. ↑ বিচার হয় না বলে বেপরোয়া ক্ষমতাসীন দলের ছাত্রসংগঠনের নেতা–কর্মীরা. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 19 February 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  30. ↑ ইবির ফুলপরীকে নির্যাতনের ঘটনায় ২৭ নারী অধিকারকর্মীর বিবৃতি. The Daily Campus (in Bengali). Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  31. ↑ ফুলপরীকে ছাত্রলীগের নির্যাতনের ঘটনায় নিন্দা. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 25 February 2023.
  32. ↑ ইবি ছাত্রী নির্যাতনের ঘটনায় ত্রুটিপূর্ণ নোটিশ, হাইকোর্টের ভর্ৎসনা. Dhaka Post (in Bengali). 6 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  33. ↑ ইবির ছাত্রী নির্যাতন: হাইকোর্টে বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় কর্তৃপক্ষের তদন্ত প্রতিবেদন জমা. The Daily Star (Bangladesh) . 27 February 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
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