The New Nation - Internet Edition

JU Correspondent

Students of different academic sessions of the Department of Drama and Dramatics of Jahangirnagar University (JU) are frustrated as their academic activities have remained halted for a long time leading to acute session jam.

This department has remained dysfunctional since May 3 due to students' movement demanding expulsion of a teacher of the department for alleged sexual harassment of some female students of the department.

The university authorities formed a three-member probe committee on May 5 to look into the allegations lodged by several female students against Sanwar Hossain Sanni, Chairman of the Department. The report of the primary probe body was presented at the special syndicate meeting held on May 28 for discussion.

But the syndicate opted for another probe body for further investigation.

According to the recommendations of the second probe body, another final investigation committee was formed according to JU ordinance and the committee started its formal functioning from July 7.

The committee is working relentlessly and it has already held 15 meetings to evaluate the progress of the investigation.

On the other hand, the agitated students of the department announced non- stop strike from August 20 but they called off the programme following an understanding reached with the university authorities.

As per the demands of the students, the authorities agreed to disclose the final result of the investigation prior to Ramzan vacation, but it is yet to do it.

However, some agitated students went on a hunger strike from August 30. Though, four students felt seriously ill on their fifth day of the strike, the authorities could not come to any decision. In the meantime, severe cultural personalities of the country expressed solidarity with the student's movement.

Most of the students of the department have sought intervention of the university authorities to resolve the impasse.