Students Protest at Udayan School Over AI-Distorted Photos and Sexual Harassment Allegations, Demanding Justice

At Udayan Higher Secondary School, affiliated with the University of Dhaka, a Class 9 student has been accused of sexually harassing female classmates, creating obscene photos and videos using artificial intelligence (AI), and making indecent proposals.

Protesting the incidents, students of the school have been demonstrating together since Tuesday (November 3) morning. On the spot, protesting students were seen positioned on the school field holding placards reading 'We want safety for girls, we want a harassment-free school'. They chanted slogans demanding punishment for the accused student and other demands.

The protesters allege that the school authorities have suspended the classroom attendance of 10 to 12 students for protesting these incidents. They say that instead of a proper investigation and necessary action on the complaints, an attempt is being made to cover the matter up.

The students further allege that because of the accused's family identity, the concerned University of Dhaka teacher, the proctor's office and the school authorities are putting pressure on them in various ways. The accused student is the son of Professor Dr Md Mofazzal Hossain, acting dean of the University of Dhaka's Faculty of Science.

No one from the school authorities was seen there while the protest was going on. The school's acting principal, Muhammad Arif Rahman, was contacted several times for comment, but his statement could not be obtained.

On the other hand, the accused student's father, Professor Dr Md Mofazzal Hossain, said that on October 7 some students took his son out of the classroom and beat him in the Palashi and Azimpur areas. As he was seriously injured, he was given primary treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. The next day he filed a written complaint with the school principal.

Professor Mofazzal Hossain said the school authorities identified several students by watching CCTV footage and arranged for them to sit exams in a separate room.

He claims that after that, photocards containing various allegations against his son were spread on social media. Over the incident, he filed a general diary (GD) at Shahbagh Police Station last Friday (October 30). According to him, several of the complaining students were once friends with his son; later, over writings on a fake social media ID, he was threatened and money was taken from him. According to his son, he was beaten after he stopped paying money and cut ties with those students.

Professor Mofazzal Hossain also said the school authorities have formed an investigation committee and his son was also called by the committee. But considering safety, they are not currently sending their son to school regularly.

University of Dhaka Proctor Professor Md Israfil said, 'We are not assigned on this matter. The school authorities will look into these things. But so that no tense situation is created there, we have sent members of the proctorial team. The situation is normal now.'