- Bahria College Principal Iqbal Javaid says ‘stern action’ will be taken against accused invigilator Sadat Bashir
- Accused teacher denies allegations made against him, says always thought of girl students as ‘his own daughters’
LAHORE: In light of the recent sexual harassment post on social media wherein Saba Ali, a student of Bahria College, Islamabad, had alleged that her examiner sexually harassed her and “almost 80 other girls” during a biology practical, other students have also come forward and shared their experiences with the same examiner.
Saba had alleged that her Federal Board of Intermediary and Secondary Education (FBISE) invigilator Sadat Bashir, groped her and almost 80 other students and passed sleazy comments. The student further said that all of this made her “extremely uncomfortable” and she had “no idea what to do”, adding that “none of us had said anything to him because he kept threatening to deduct our marks”.
Furthermore, Saba claimed that when she informed her teacher(s) about the incident, she was asked to keep quiet or else the invigilator will deduct marks from the paper.
The incident was picked up by the social media, people rallied in support of the students under the hashtag #PunishSadatBashir and #TimesUp and asked for not just the dismissal of Sadat, but also for the schools to help prevent such an incident in future and learn how to address them properly.
Following Saba’s Facebook post, more students have come forward narrating their “horrific” experiences with the examiner.
A student X from the same batch told Pakistan Today, on the condition of anonymity, that following the incident and Saba’s post her batchmates encouraged girls to come forward and share their testimonies.
“A group of girls who were present at the time gathered these testimonies and put them all together,” X said, adding, “I am shocked to see such an incident at the college, prior to this, I never heard of any such case at Bahria.”
These testimonies have been shared on Twitter and Facebook, most of them were made anonymously.
Confessions of the victims. 18 testimonies so far. pic.twitter.com/WdnfqpAtXS
— #PunishSadatBashir (@OfficiallyAlsa) May 29, 2018
Moreover, X also informed Pakistan Today that she was a victim of the predator as well and said, “After our practical, the girls and I went to inform the clerk, as the principal wasn’t there. We were told that the complaint would be forwarded to the principal on his arrival.”
In addition to that, the school staff present in the biology lab during the practical was aware of the incident but took no action against the invigilator.
“Although we were told that the principal would be informed, it was only on Sunday at 3pm we were told that the higher authorities had no idea about it. If the teachers or clerk did or did not inform the higher authorities, we aren’t sure anymore, but whatever the case was, no action was taken,” X elaborated.
It was also learnt that the male students present at the location took notice of this and later some came forward talking about what they witnessed.
In the meantime, another student came forward about an incident with the same invigilator.
Furthermore, X and another former student also confirmed to Pakistan Today that Bahria College Principal Iqbal Javaid had informed students and teachers that the matter has been reported to FBISE and action will be taken against the accused.
Afreina Noor, a former student of Bahria College stated on her social media account, “As a former Bahria student, I know how the college has a habit of sweeping things under the table.”
She further added, “I wasn’t surprised at the school administration’s reaction of telling Saba to zip it and focus on her ‘marks’. Never in our wildest dreams was such an incident fathomable. These girls resorted to the social media because their voices were hushed. Back in the day, we had no other option. Enough is enough.”
Pakistan Today also got in touch with the accused Sadat Bashir.
Denying the accusations, Bashir said: “I haven’t done anything wrong.”
When asked that the testimonies made against him are in a huge number, he said, ” I would never do such a thing because all the students are like my daughters and female teachers are like my sisters.”
“In my career as a teacher/invigilator, I have always been fair in marking. Moreover, when I was assigned this duty, I questioned the authorities as to why I am being assigned for duty at the girls’ section,” he further said.
“My family is in shock after this defamatory campaign against me,” he claimed.
Sadat also claimed that he had been receiving death threats since last night and stands by his statement on this incident.
Following the allegations, the federal board has formed a committee led by the controller examinations to investigate into the matter and the invigilator has been asked to submit his initial reply by Thursday.
The inquiry committee members also visited the college campus and questioned the biology professor accused of harassment, who denied the allegations.
