Viqarunnisa protests continue

Students of Viqarunnisa Noon School and College and their guardians continued their protests on Tuesday demanding punishment of Parimal Jayadhar, a teacher of the institution arrested on charge of raping

a student, and resignation of the college principal, Husne Ara Begum, for defending the accused.

Several civic forums and left-leaning political organisations on Tuesday also held protests demanding punishment of Parimal and investigation into why the school authorities were late in taking action against the accused.

Non-political organisation Spardha held a rally at the Central Shaheed Minar to push for the demands.

Politicians, academics, women leaders, rights activities, students, teachers and guardians attended the rally

Jahangirnagar University teacher Anu Muhammad, rights activist Rahnuma Ahmed, Ganasanghati Andolan chief coordinator Zonayed Saki, Mukti Council leader Foezul Hakim, Dhaka University teacher Kaberi Gayen and women leader Sara Zaker attended the protest rally, chaired by Spardha's president JSA Marcel.

Anu demanded formation of anti-repression committees in every educational institution in keeping with a High Court verdict.

'The students must lead the movements against rapists,' Rahnuma said. She said that it should be investigated why the school authorities tried to save the teachers who are accused.

Several hundred students of Viqarunnisa and others educational institutions also attended the rally.

In the morning, guardians of Viqarunnisa students brought out a procession at the main campus of the school on Bailey Road. They shouted slogans demanding principal's resignation. 'Our protest will continue until the principal resigns,' said Faisal Babu, a guardian.

A similar protest was organised at the Bashundhara and Azimpur campuses. Several hundred students and guardians brought out a procession at the Bashundhara campus.

Policemen and Rapid Action Battalion personnel were deployed at the place during the protests.

At main campus, HSC students boycotted classes but stayed on the campus. Teachers wore black badges.

Parimal Jayadhar a teacher of Bangla at the school's Bashundhara campus, allegedly abused a girl and videoed it with his mobile. He admitted doing so in his statement on Monday.

There were allegations against Husne Ara Begum that she was defending Parimal even after the girl lodged a complaint in writing.

The Progressing Teachers' Forum formed a human chain in front of the National Press Club demanding punishment of Parimal.

The teachers also demanded investigation into the allegation that school authorities had tried to save the accused.

Samajtantrik Mahila Parishad also formed a human chain in front of the National Press Club to push for the same demand.

They also demanded investigation into the allegation about the delay by the school authorities in taking action and the allegation of trying to save the accused.

The principal told New Age that she had no plans to resign from her position. 'I did not do any wrong. Why should I resign?' she said.

She said that she had just executed the decision of the managing committee. 'If it is said that we have been late in taking action, the managing committee is responsible for it. I only just execute the decision of the managing committee,' she said.

Source : New Age