Pabna, Oct 10 (V7N) – A female student of Pabna University of Science and Technology (PUST) was hospitalised after allegedly being subjected to ragging by senior students at a residential hall, prompting renewed concerns over harassment on campus.
The incident reportedly occurred around 5pm on Thursday, October 8, in a room at Ganatantra Hall on the university campus.
The student, Anika Afrin, is enrolled in the Information and Communication Engineering (ICE) department for the 2025–26 academic year. She was taken to Assort Hospital in the Mujahid Club area of Pabna city after becoming ill.
According to accounts from affected students, several female students from the 2025–26 academic year were called to room 1035 by students from the 2024–25 academic year. The junior students alleged that they were subsequently subjected to harassment and ragging.
The senior students named in the allegations included Samiha, Urmi, Nishat, Shreya, Mim, Maria, Afia, Farzana and Ifti. The affected junior students reportedly included Anika, Asha, Jhuma, Masuma, Faria, Sathi and Jannat.
The juniors alleged that they had initially been invited to the room under the pretext of a picnic. After arriving, however, they were questioned, verbally abused and asked personal questions. They also alleged that their mobile phones were taken and checked.
During the incident, Jhuma reportedly became ill and was taken to another room, where water was poured over her head. The alleged ragging of other students continued, according to their accounts.
Anika later became unwell and was taken to the hospital’s emergency department.
Describing her experience, Anika said the students had been invited to the room for a picnic but were instead reprimanded and questioned about their activities on campus.
She said she was asked why she had visited the campus lake and reading room and why she had been seen with male students. She also alleged that her phone was checked to determine whether she had sent friend requests to any male students.
Anika said she began feeling uncomfortable, experienced tightness in her neck and difficulty breathing, and eventually lay down. She said she could not remember what happened afterwards.
Another student, who requested anonymity, alleged that the group had continued the ragging for an extended period after one student fell ill. Despite repeated requests to take her to hospital, the students were not allowed to leave immediately, the student claimed.
She said more than an hour passed without the student recovering, prompting several of them to break down in tears before permission was finally given to take her to hospital.
Attempts to contact Samiha and Urmi by phone for comment were unsuccessful, as neither answered repeated calls.
University Proctor Professor Dr Kamruzzaman Khan and Student Adviser Professor Dr Rashedul Haque visited Anika at the hospital. Other members of the proctorial and student adviser teams were also present to inquire about her condition.
Professor Khan said the university administration maintained a strict stance against ragging.
“Ragging is in no way acceptable. If a complaint is received, the matter will be investigated promptly and necessary action will be taken,” he said.
The incident has renewed concerns about ragging at the university, where similar allegations have reportedly emerged on previous occasions.
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