Avantikas’ self-immolation

On March 15, 2024, around 10pm, Fairooz Sadaf Abantika, a student of the Law Department at Jagannath University, committed suicide at her home in Cumilla city. Prior to her suicide, in a post on her own Facebook profile, she held her classmates Rayhan Siddique Amman and the university's Assistant Proctor Deen Islam responsible for her death. Rayhan has been expelled from the university administration without being investigated for his alleged involvement in the incident, amidst protests from students. Allegations against Rayhan include making sexually abusive remarks towards Abantika both online and offline.

After dismissing allegations against Rayhan, Assistant Proctor Deen Islam reportedly intimidated Abantika in various ways rather than taking action against him. The university administration threatened to expel Abantika. Abantika disclosed that she was threatened with physical violence by Deen Islam, who allegedly beat her with shoes and threatened to expel her, resulting in her breakdown.

Abantika identified herself as a 'fighter'. The incident between Abantika and Rayhan began in 2022, but many details remain unknown. Abantika did not specify why she did not go to the proctor or the vice-chancellor if the assistant proctor behaved improperly. Online sexual abuse comments are punishable offenses under digital law. Why did Abantika surrender herself to death instead of fighting back? Is Rayhan a powerful student leader? Is Rayhan unstoppable? What is the deep relationship between Rayhan and Assistant Proctor Deen Islam? All these questions will surely be answered by the formed committee and investigative agency.

In January of last year, a female student of the Chemistry Department alleged that she was sexually harassed by Dr. Mahbubul Matin, a professor of the same department, during her postgraduate thesis work. The allegation included instances of forcibly touching the student and trapping her in his room under the pretext of providing necessary chemicals for the lab, while locking the door from inside and attempting to assault her. Recently, in connection with allegations of sexual harassment, Assistant Professor Sazan Sahak of Kazi Nazrul Islam University in Mymensingh has been permanently dismissed. The department head Rezwan Ahmed Shubho has also been temporarily suspended.

The authorities did not initially take action on any of the sexual harassment incidents reported. When the students began protesting, the authorities woke up from their slumber. Similar incidents have occurred against assistant proctors and students at Jagannath University. After Avantika's suicide, the students' protests have shaken the authorities. In educational institutions, the prevalence of sexual harassment has prompted the High Court to establish a sexual harassment cell in 2009, directing to address complaints on the basis of allegations.

However, these cells do not function autonomously. There are reasons for not doing so. Like lawyers, journalists, and other professionals, university teachers are also deeply involved in national politics. Having secured a position through the Awami League, a vice-chancellor once sat in the chair at Dhaka University and refused to meet with the visiting vice-chancellor until morning. If supporters of powerful political parties are involved in sexual harassment, the courage to judge them based on allegations does not exist in the cell or the authorities. Members of the cell and university authorities are part of the power-holding group, and without the support of the government's blind supporters, they cannot hold these positions. Therefore, sexual predators and university administrations with powerless groups do not have the courage to address complaints beyond the students' protests.

In universities, the number of students is higher than that of sexually harassing teachers. Most of the sexually harassed students are affiliated with government student organizations. Their influence and influence are limitless. Therefore, they also do not undergo spontaneous trials in the natural process. Committing sexual harassment by exploiting the fear of passing or failing in exams is never justifiable. Even if such teachers are sentenced to death, it is still less. Schools, colleges, or universities in Bangladesh have become intimidating for female students. In madrasas, many children have been killed by sexual abuse.

Female students are becoming victims of sexual harassment by influential student leaders and corrupt teachers. The desire to become a leader in important positions has led many female workers in their own teams at colleges and universities to become bedmates with central leaders of student organizations. Not only in student organizations but also in the main political parties, there are numerous incidents of this kind. However, when teachers commit sexual harassment, it takes on a different dimension, as the unconditional trust of the nation towards teachers is shattered.

Culture of speaking up for the perpetrators is strong among harassers. The teacher members of the formed committees continue to try various tactics to save the accused coworker from allegations and accordingly manipulate the relevant reports. However, the existence of this disease is present in every profession. Even after filing complaints about the risks of life, when a female student fails to get justice, she is forced to choose the path of self-destruction due to the constant threats from the perpetrator. Taking charge of one's own life is not an easy task. When a woman becomes a victim of sexual harassment and does not receive approval for her allegations, but rather faces constant threats from the perpetrator, her helplessness increases, and she becomes overwhelmed with severe mental pressure and despair.

And those who give more importance to gaining establishment through sexual harassment than to gaining reputation, are forced to be caught in the trap of teachers. The increasing incidents of sexual harassment against female students are making educational programs vulnerable. The sexual harassment complaint cell fails to provide security to the victims and ensure fair trials, thereby instilling fear in those who are afraid to lodge complaints due to the apprehension of further harassment. If there were consequences for teachers' sexual harassment, the university's reputation would not have been tarnished in this manner.

Female students are becoming victims of sexual harassment by influential student leaders and corrupt teachers. The desire to become a leader in important positions has led many female workers in their own teams at colleges and universities to become bedmates with central leaders of student organizations. Not only in student organizations but also in the main political parties, there are numerous incidents of this kind. However, when teachers commit sexual harassment, it takes on a different dimension, as the unconditional trust of the nation towards teachers is shattered.

The authorities' indifference is responsible for the spread of this contagious disease in universities, much like in madrasas. The fate of university administrations seems favorable, as 90% of sexual harassment victims do not report the incidents due to fear of not receiving justice and fear of slut shaming. In a democracy, where there is democracy, there will be politics. All professionals have the right to engage in politics. However, professionals must be politically conscious, but external political involvement tarnishes the prosperity and development of their respective professions. Like lawyers, teachers are also deeply involved with national political parties. Therefore, the appointment of vice-chancellors in universities is based on party affiliations, considering the accused's party loyalty before the trial of the crime and the degree of party loyalty of the accused.

The development of the country is not just the advancement of material wealth. It requires the development of culture, values, ethics, and mutual respect. Justice should prevail when allegations are made, and it is essential to instill such confidence among students. Otherwise, voluntarily resigning from the university administration, including all staff associated with the administration, should be considered. It is even more crucial to hold the university administration accountable alongside the harassing teachers. The day the fear of Abantika’s suicide among the distressed ends, students will gain the opportunity to receive education fearlessly, securely, and safely. On that day, only the dignity and respect of the teachers will be restored.

Author: Former Executive Director of Bangladesh Bank and Former Managing Director of Security Printing Corporation