99 RU students punished for ragging and other offences

Rajshahi University has taken disciplinary action against 99 students over allegations of ragging, physical and mental harassment, assault and forgery of official seals.

The penalties include suspension of studentship for one academic year or two semesters, cancellation of residential status, exclusion from consideration for future residential facilities and formal warnings.

The decisions were taken at the university’s 549th Syndicate meeting held on Tuesday, September 22. Vice-Chancellor Professor Faridul Islam confirmed the matter on Wednesday afternoon.

The vice-chancellor said reports containing evidence of various allegations of ragging were presented to the Syndicate through its disciplinary subcommittee. After reviewing the allegations, the Syndicate decided to impose different penalties on the students concerned.

Under the decisions, 14 students were suspended for one academic year over allegations of ragging, while another student was suspended for the same period for allegedly physically assaulting a junior student. The residential status of two other students was also cancelled over similar allegations.

In addition, 79 students from different departments were given stern warnings over allegations of ragging. The university has recommended stricter disciplinary action if they are found to be directly or indirectly involved in ragging in the future. Their parents will also be informed of the disciplinary measures through letters.

Meanwhile, three students were suspended for one academic year for allegedly forging the seal, signature and letterhead of the chairman of the Department of Public Administration.

The university also decided that the 18 students suspended for one year over ragging and seal-forgery incidents, as well as the two students whose residential status was cancelled, would not be considered for residential facilities in the future.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Faridul Islam said, “The scale of ragging is increasing day by day. So we are taking a very strict stance on the issue. We have not cancelled anyone’s studentship permanently. The maximum punishment will be suspension for one year. If someone is a residential student, their residential status will also be cancelled.”

He added, “At the same time, the parents of the accused students will be informed about the matter. Those who have been warned have received the strongest warning. If it is found in any way that they are involved in such activities again, stricter action will be taken against them. We have a zero-tolerance policy toward ragging.”