DU’s expulsion of Isha unconstitutional: AL

Ruling Bangladesh Awami League has protested at the expulsion of BCL activist at Dhaka University Iffat Jahan Isha by the university authorities, calling it ‘unconstitutional’ and ‘anti-rights’.

The Bangladesh Chhatra League aka BCL is the student front of the ruling AL and Isha is the BCL president of DU’s Sufia Kamal hall, a dormitory for the female students.

Addressing a press conference at the party president’s Dhanmondi office, its publicity secretary Hasan Mahmud said BCL should not have expelled Isha.

“The way the BCL president of DU’s Sufia Kamal hall unit was relieved of her post wasn’t appropriate. The BCL has taken the right decision by withdrawing her expulsion,” said the ruling party leader.

He also criticised the Dhaka University authorities for expelling Isha “with necessary investigation”.

“It’s beyond my imagination that an institution like Dhaka University can verbally expel one of its students on charges of allegations even before any investigation.

“This goes against fundamental rights and the constitution. Investigation is a must in every case no matter whoever is the accused. Punishment must come after investigation. [In this case] no investigation has been carried out as yet,” said Hasan Mahmud.

On Tuesday night, students of Sufia Kamal hall alleged that Isha used to torture students at the university dormitory, but they could not speak up against her torture until the day fearing reprisals.

In that night, Isha called in some students, who joined then ongoing quota reform demonstrations on the university campus, to her room and tortured them.

Upon hearing the screaming of female students, BCL vice president of the hall unit Morsheda Khanam rushed to Isha’s room and engaged in a scuffle with her. During the scuffle, Morsheda’s leg hit a window-pan and had cut her leg badly.

On information, other students rushed to the scene and beat up Isha.

Hall students staged demonstrations demanding expulsion of Isha while the picture of Morsheda’s bloodied leg went viral on the social media.

Several male students also staged demonstrations outside the female dormitory demanding expulsion of Isha.

Students ended their demonstrations only after the university vice chancellor Md Akhtaruzzaman made the announcement of Isha’s expulsion.