Bangladesh
Rabindra University Haircut Rabindra University haircut row: HC orders compensation of Tk 20 lakh each to all 14 students
Dhaka, September 30: The High Court has issued a rule asking why the haircut of 14 students of Rabindra University will not be illegal. The court also wanted to know why the students would not be compensated with Tk 20 lakh each, for forcefully cutting their hair.
At the same time, the rule also asked why a guideline would not be issued to prevent such incidents across the country. The court has also asked authorities to inform it about the steps taken against Farhana Yasmin Baten, the teacher who was involved in the incident, within the next 30 days. Besides, the committee formed to investigate the incident has been directed to submit a report within a month.
A High Court bench of Justice Md Mojibur Rahman Mia and Justice Md Kamrul Hossain Mollah passed the order on Thursday (September 30).
The Home Secretary, Education Secretary, Vice Chancellor of Rabindra University and others have been asked to respond to the rule within four weeks. Barrister Humayun Kabir Pallab appeared for the writ petition.
Earlier on Wednesday, Barrister Mohammad Humayun Kabir Pallab had filed a writ petition in the High Court for the 14 victims.
Meanwhile, Farhana Yasmin Baten, accused of cutting off the hair of 14 students of Rabindra University in Sirajganj on September 28, has resigned from three posts at the university, including the post of departmental chairman. However, she did not resign as a teacher. Students have been protesting since Tuesday morning demanding her dismissal.
Sohrab Ali, registrar of the university, said that as the incident was being investigated, Farhana Yasmin Baten had resigned in writing from the post of chairman of the department of cultural heritage and Bangladesh studies, assistant proctor and member of the proctorial body.
A five-member inquiry committee headed by Laila Ferdous Himel, chairperson of the university's Rabindra studies department, has been formed in this regard. University sources said the committee has already started work.
