The incident reportedly took place on the night of 12 May. In the early hours of Friday, 15 May, at around 1:00 am, women students brought out a protest march from the university’s female halls. The procession moved through the halls, passed Chourangi Mor, and ended in front of the Vice-Chancellor’s residence. From around 2:00 am, the students began a sit-in there, which continued until 9:00 am.

At a press briefing, the protesters said: “On 13 May, we placed six demands and gave a 48-hour ultimatum for the arrest of the accused. The deadline expired at 3:00 am today, but the administration has shown extreme failure. The accused has not yet been arrested. Moreover, the administration has deceived the students and is denying our demands. The Vice-Chancellor had assured us of accepting the demands through his signature.”

The students alleged that the administration concealed key information related to the incident and spread confusion by circulating incorrect images. They added: “During this proctor’s tenure, the Tarikul rape case and the Sharmin murder case took place, yet the Vice-Chancellor described him as the ‘most efficient proctor’.”

After the press briefing at around 10:00 am, women students broke the lock of the proctor’s office and installed a new one. They announced that all administrative activities at the registrar’s building would be blockaded from the following day. They further declared that all administrative functions of the university would remain suspended until the proctor resigns, the accused is arrested, and exemplary punishment is ensured.

Tajnin Nahar Tammi, a student of the 51st batch of the Department of Philosophy, said: “We have not seen any proper resolution to the incidents that occurred during this proctor’s tenure. We do not want this failed proctor anymore.”

Lamisha Zaman, a student of the 53rd batch of the Department of History, said: “We will continue our sit-in until the proctor resigns. We will not leave our position. At the same time, we urge law enforcement agencies to implement our primary demand—the swift arrest of the accused.”

Heated exchange with the Vice-Chancellor

At one stage of the sit-in, a heated argument broke out between the protesting students and Vice-Chancellor Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan. When one of the women protesters referred to him as a “fascist”, the Vice-Chancellor reacted strongly.

Speaking on the matter, Professor Ahsan said the 48-hour ultimatum had ended and that police were making efforts with some progress reported. He added: “For the university to take any action, the statements of both the complainant and the accused must be heard and a decision taken through an investigation committee. It is not possible to dismiss the proctor while standing in front of the residence.”

He further said the issue of publishing incorrect images would also be examined by the investigation committee and expressed hope that the students would allow some time for the inquiry.

The students said that after declaring the proctorial body unwelcome, the proctor’s office had been locked. Following the lock-in, graffiti was written on the doors, windows and walls of the office, describing the proctor as “unwelcome” and accusing him of being “fake, failed and shameless”.

Meanwhile, the protesting students have called on all female and male students, teachers, cultural and political organisations, and members of the public to express solidarity with their movement.