The curious case of JU

Ariful Islam Anik, a fourth year student of Bangla department of Jahangirnagar University, left the campus on May 25 for his village home in Kishoreganj. The following day [May 26], he joined as a field executive in a survey conducted by an NGO. 

To his agony, on May 26, he heard the bad news of the demise of two fellow students in a road accident the same day. But in his wildest dreams he could not imagine that he would be made an accused in the case filed by the JU authorities following a widespread student protest centring the death.      

On May 27, JU authorities filed the case against 31 students and 40-50 anonymous persons for carrying out "vandalism at JU VC's residence", blocking roads, and "giving threats to teachers". Of the 31, at least three students like Anik have been made accused even though they claimed they were not present at the time of "vandalising VC's residence". 

Contacted, over the phone, Kabya Krittika, an official of Keymakers Consulting Ltd and supervisor of Anik's team, said, "It's bizarre to find his [Anik] name in the list of accused. How can he be involved in JU incidents staying far away from the campus?"

Abu Sayem, a campus reporter of the Daily Destiny, had a similar story to tell. He was allegedly beaten up by the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) men at about 4:00pm on May 27 while covering the students' road blockade.

Injured, Sayem and his colleagues said he took treatment at JU Medical Centre first from where he moved to his dorm.

But he was also made an accused in the case, Junaid Ahmed, general secretary of a faction of JU Press Club ventilated the frustration.  

Police dispersed the blockade on Dhaka-Arichha Highway, outside the campus, around 5:30pm. Another student named Ayon, who joined the student protest, got injured as police dispersed them. He was first rushed to JU Medical Centre and later shifted to Enam Medical College Hospital from where he was discharged on May 28, according to his medical documents. 

Dispersed, students laid siege to VC's residence around 5:45pm. As he was hospitalised, Ayon said he was not present there.

A member of Udichi Shilpigoshthi at JU, Ayon also made a point that the blockade took place outside the purview of the JU campus. The university authorities cannot make him accused for the road blockade.

In this regard, JU Associate Professor Raihan Rhyne, also spokesperson of the Shikkhak Shikkharthi Oikya Mancha (Teachers-Students Unity Platform), said, “The authorities mentioned the three points in the case including the blockade on Dhaka-Arichha Highway, which took place outside the campus."

The Daily Star obtained the documents, which confirm that Anik, Sayem, and Ayon were not present when students laid siege to VC's residence.

Meanwhile, some students claimed though they were not present in front of VC's residence on May 27, they were made accused in the case. 

Ashik Mustafa Shawon, a master's student of Economics department, claimed: “I was sleeping at my room then. I'm astonished to find my name in the list.”

The others students -- Shahadat Hossain of botany, Shafiul Alam Prodhan of government and politics, Shihab Uddin of geography and environment, Saimum Saeed of economics departments -- claimed that they didn't participate in any activity in front VC's residence.

Seeking anonymity, a JU student alleged that the university unit of BCL had provided a list of names to the JU administration and police.

“This list is created without any reliable information. Some students, who expressed their opinion against the ongoing incidents, were made accused in the case, which is unexpected,” said a senior teacher wishing anonymity.

Contacted, Jewel Rana, president of JU unit of BCL, brushed aside the allegation.

He said, "We are not part of the [JU] administration. We also demand withdrawal of the case."

In this regard, Mohsinul Kadir, officer-in-charge of Ashulia Police Station, said there is a rumor going on, which is not true. 

"The accused were identified scrutinising video clips from CCTV camera of the VC's residence," said the OC, adding that the investigation was going on.  

On May 27, in the syndicate meeting, JU administration formed a probe committee and asked it to submit a report within 10 working days. However, on June 3, Oyikya Mancha demanded the reformation of the committee.

When contacted, JU Registrar Abu Bakr Siddique on June 2 said a probe body was formed to investigate the incidents, and the concerned body would verify the matter. 

He, however, declined to make any further comments.

Asked about the wholesale case filing, a probe committee member, who did not want to be named, said they are working on the issue.

"If it is found that the accused were not involved in the incidents, the [JU] administration would take the matter into consideration," said the member.