CCTV footage shows Rabindra univ teacher forcefully cutting students' hair

The probe committee in Sirajganj's Rabindra University has found proof against a teacher who was recently accused of ordering haircuts for at least 13 students against their will.

"We examined the university's CCTV footage last night where it clearly showed that the teacher Farhana Yeasmin Baten was cutting students' hair," said Laila Fardous Himel, chairman of Rabindra Studies department and the head of the five-member probe committee, reports our Pabna correspondent.

"Other teachers and staff members were also present during the incident," she said.

"We are investigating the incident and are likely to submit the report next week," Laila added.

Amid the student protest, the accused Farhana Yasmin Baten, head of the Department of History, Culture and Bangladesh Studies of the university, has stepped down from the posts of head of the department, proctorial body and syndicate member.

The students started the protest, boycotting the exams since Tuesday.

On that day, they submitted a four-point memorandum to the university authorities. The demands include Farhana Yasmin's termination, action against other teachers who were present at the scene, fresh exam routine and bearing the medical expenditure of the student who attempted suicide after the forced haircut.

Before the exams started on September 25, Farhana instructed the students to trim their hair before entering the exam hall.

On September 26, she asked the university staff to cut the hair of those who had long hair before entering the examination hall.

Unable to bear the humiliation, one of the students upon returning to the mess, tried to die by suicide.

HC seeks report on action

The High Court today wanted to know about the action taken into the incident.

In response to a writ petition, the court ordered the vice chancellor (VC) and registrar of the university to submit a report on the steps taken to this effect before it in one month.

Today, the HC issued a rule asking five respondents to explain why they should not be ordered to provide compensation of Tk 20 lakh to each of the victims.

The five respondents are Rabindra University's vice chancellor, registrar, Farhana Yasmin Baten, its assistant proctors and teachers of the department of history, culture and Bangladesh studies Rajib Odhikary and Jannatul Ferdous Mun, writ petitioner's lawyer Mohammad Humaun Kabir Pallob told The Daily Star.

The HC bench of Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Md Kamrul Hossain Mollah came up with the order and rule following a writ petition filed as a public interest litigation by rights organisation Law and Life Foundation seeking necessary directives from it on the respondents to this matter.

Deputy Attorney General Rawroz MR Chowdhury represented the state while hearing on the petition.