Staff Correspondent,Dhaka: Severe resentment and unrest have gripped North South University (NSU), one of the country’s leading private educational institutions, over grave allegations of sexual harassment, financial irregularities, and abuse of power against an influential member of the Board of Trustees. Against this backdrop, general students staged a protest and formed a human chain on the campus yesterday, Thursday. Meanwhile, the university authorities have imposed a temporary ban on the accused trustee member, Mohammad Shahjahan, barring him from entering the campus and participating in any university activities until the investigation is concluded.
The human chain and solidarity rally were organized around 11:30 AM on Thursday near Gate 8 of the university under the banner of ‘General Students,’ demanding a 100% safe and respectful environment for female students. During the protest, students displayed various placards calling for an end to sexual harassment and ensuring campus security.
Mushtaq Tahmid, an MBA student at the university and one of the key organizers of the movement, said, “Women’s safety is a fundamental right. We demand 100% security for female students within the university area. A collective effort from everyone is required to raise awareness and take effective measures in this regard.”
University sources revealed that a guardian recently lodged a written complaint with the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh (UGC) against Mohammad Shahjahan. The complaint alleged that he was involved in establishing unethical relationships with multiple female employees and students by baiting them with jobs, promotions, and financial assistance, as well as being implicit in admission commerce. Furthermore, screenshots of some of his objectionable chats on social media have circulated among various quarters. Considering the gravity of the allegations, the UGC directed the NSU authorities on May 14 to investigate the matter and take prompt action.
Following the UGC directive, the university’s Board of Trustees convened an emergency meeting on May 18. Alongside issuing a show-cause notice to the accused member, a ban was imposed on his entry into the campus and his participation in board meetings during the investigation period. He has been asked to submit a written explanation at the board’s next meeting, scheduled for June 4 at the Banani Club. Failure to submit his response within the stipulated time will initiate the process for his permanent removal in accordance with the trust’s regulations.
However, Mohammad Shahjahan has denied all the allegations leveled against him. Claiming that the circulating screenshots were “photoshop fabrications and patched together,” he said, “These should undergo forensic testing. I am scheduled to become the Chairman of the Board of Trustees this coming July. This is being done deliberately and out of hostility to prevent me from becoming the Chairman. I have served a legal notice and will respond to all allegations.”
On the other hand, the current Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Azim Al Kashem, stated, “The show-cause notice was issued to him solely in response to the letter from our regulatory body (UGC). Had we not done this, the Board itself would have faced legal complications. But unfortunately, since receiving the notice, he has been issuing threats via phone calls and messages.”
Investigations reveal that this is not the first time allegations of irregularities have surfaced against Mohammad Shahjahan. Earlier in 2020, his name was implicated in the forgery and tampering of Prime Minister’s Office documents regarding the appointment of the university’s treasurer, a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Additionally, he had previously served jail time alongside other trustees in an ACC case concerning the misappropriation of funds during the purchase of university land.
Starting its journey in 1992 with only 137 students, North South University currently boasts a student enrollment of over 25,000. Although the institution has consistently secured positions in international rankings, stakeholders believe that this recent high-level scandal and internal feuds are tarnishing the university’s image.
When approached for a comment on the overall situation, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, declined to make any statement. In a brief response, he said, “This is an internal matter of the trustees; I have no comments on this.”