Forcibly cutting students’ hair: Rabindra Univ teacher steps down as dept head

Students at Sirajganj's Rabindra University started a hunger strike on campus this morning, demanding termination of a department head who recently ordered haircut for at least 13 students against their will.

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

She submitted her resignation letter to the university authorities yesterday, Md Sohrab Ali, registrar of the university said.

Meanwhile, Rabindra University authorities have formed a five-member probe committee, with Chairman of Rabindra Studies department Laila Fardous Himel as its head, for investigation into the incident, the registrar said.

"For the sake of free and fair investigation, she resigned from the administrative posts," Sohrab Ali said.

"The probe committee will investigate the incident and submit the report within a very short time. The university authorities will take steps according to the report," he said.

Before the examination started on September 25, the head of the department instructed the students to trim their hair before entering exam hall.

On September 26, the department head 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 mess, tried to commit suicide.

Yesterday, the students boycotted the exams and 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 to commit suicide.

"We have already assured the students of bearing the medical expenditure of the student and rescheduling the exam routine. Of the two other demands, taking action against the teachers is not possible without investigation," said Professor Md Abdul Latif, acting VC of the university.

"Probe committee is investigating the incident. After investigation, we will take action if they are found guilty. Students have to understand this," he said.

The students also alleged that Farhana Yasmin lied during a television interview.

"Farhana Yasmin, on a television talk show last night, blamed students falsely," Nazmul Hasan, a student of the department of Economics and also spokesman of the agitating students, said.

The students claimed that few of them fell sick during the hunger strike.

The acting VC, who is also the treasurer of the university, said teachers and the university authorities are negotiating with the students to end the strike.