Dhaka University's vice chancellor and its administration and police are trying to save the perpetrators of mass molestation of females during Pahela Baishakh celebrations, alleged Prof Anu Muhammad of the economics department of Jahangirnagar University yesterday.

Initially the DU VC denied that any such incident even occurred. Then, he denied involvement of any DU students in the incident, he said, adding, “Actually they know the identity of the perpetrators and thereby want to save the culprits."

The culprits have political power and this is the reason behind not bringing them to book, said Anu at a student rally organised by Bangladesh Chhatra

Union nearTSC on the campus.

Professor Emeritus Dr Anisuzzaman said guardians may impose restrictions on free movement of females after such harassment, which will be a disaster for women. So, exemplary punishment for the sexual offenders is needed to be executed immediately, he added.

Besides, Bangladesh Chhattra Union pressed home their six-point demand including resignation of the university's proctor and proper investigation and punishment for the on-duty policemen for their failure to ensure safety and security of women.

Some 30 to 40 rowdy youths assaulted and sexually harassed around 20 women for about an hour at the Suhrawardy Udyan gate near the TSC on that day.