Attempted rape at JU: Students stage blockade demanding swift justice

Jahangirnagar University (JU) students today (17 May) staged a blockade in front of the university’s new administrative building, demanding swift justice in a case involving the attempted rape and assault of a female student.

Students gathered in front of the university’s new administrative building around 9am. By 10am, they locked the main entrance and two other gates of the building and began a sit-in programme.

The protesters said the administrative building will remain blocked.

However, they added that students with urgent or necessary work will still be allowed inside to avoid inconvenience.

A student from the Drama and Dramatics Department, Adrita Roy, said students are not seeing “even a minimum level of responsibility” from the administration regarding the incident and the ongoing movement.

“When we asked the vice-chancellor about the progress of the investigation and arrest process, he could not provide any clear information,” she said.

“He only says ‘work is ongoing’, but does not explain what progress has been made. Even after 106 hours, there has been no visible action; it feels like we are only being consoled. In protest, we are staying here and will continue until the VC comes and gives accountability,” she added.

Earlier, on 12 May at around 11:30pm, an attempted rape took place near the old Fazilatunnesa Hall, close to the Al-Beruni Hall extension area of the university.

A student of the university’s 53rd batch of the History Department, Lamisa, said the victim lives in the nearby Islamnagar area.

Quoting the victim, she said she could not find a rickshaw and was walking through the campus toward the old Arts Building extension area when she noticed someone following her.

Sensing something was wrong, she turned around and asked the man who he was and whether he was a student of the university, said Lamisa.

The man introduced himself as a student from the 48th batch. Moments later, he allegedly attacked her, using a cloth-like object to grab her by the throat and trying to drag her into nearby bushes.

The student screamed for help during the attack. She later managed to break free – reportedly by biting the attacker or resisting in some other way – before running onto the road and asking nearby people for help.

Locals later rescued her and took her to the university medical centre.

According to university administration sources, the accused is an outsider.

Police have already released his image taken from CCTV footage and announced a reward for information leading to his arrest.

However, even after five days, he has not been detained, prompting continued protests demanding the resignation and punishment of members of the proctorial body.