Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi has expelled a student for reporting an alleged incident of harassment against a female employee.
Student Mohammed Jibrael, hailing from Lakki Marwat, had witnessed and reported the incident of workplace harassment against a female employee to the disciplinary committee. The student had supported and encouraged the female to file a complaint with the management.
Jibrael narrated the incident in a social media post. The decision to expel him was taken to punish him for not using the right channel to report the incident. University stated on its Facebook page.
It said the student “was given multiple occasions to reconsider his actions and was counseled numerous times to reassess his actions. Having failed to do that, the Disciplinary Committee has decided to expel the student as the IBA has a zero-tolerance policy towards the violation of its rules and regulations.”
By expelling Jibrael @ibakarachi has sent a msg to all female staff/students that they should never rely on any eye witness if they face #harassment as anyone who speaks up like Jibrael will be expelled, also sent a msg to students to keep their heads down when they see injustice
— M. Jibran Nasir 🇵🇸 (@MJibranNasir) September 29, 2021
Jibrael has decided to appeal the decision of Executive Director, Registrar & Disciplinary Committee before the #IBA Board of Governors with hopes they will realise that by suppressing student voices, protecting harassers and dismissing complaints of women IBA is defaming itself pic.twitter.com/UHcjBvNkIb
— M. Jibran Nasir 🇵🇸 (@MJibranNasir) September 29, 2021
Shameful. Sad. #IBAKarachi @ibakarachi https://t.co/GC8DID63i9
— Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) September 30, 2021
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The action was taken against Jibrael after he posted an incident of sexual harassment he witnessed on August 25 in the finance department.
In his Facebook post, Jibrael heard the manager of the finance department screaming at the female employee saying “Mein tumhe puri raat betha Kar rakhoon ga (I will make you sit here all night).”
He also refused to take down his social media post. In its statement, the IBA said: “It is important to note that [Gibrail’s] highlighting [of] the incident of alleged harassment within IBA has been appreciated by the IBA administration.”
This is a gross overreaction from IBA which must be set right. Such measures can and will only backfire. https://t.co/Ig888hvn8m
— Zarrar Khuhro (@ZarrarKhuhro) September 29, 2021
Read more: Countrywide Protests Held on Balochistan University’s Sexual Harassment
“However, we need to emphasize, the act of the student of whistleblowing of alleged harassment has nothing to do with the Disciplinary matter which was the basis of the hearing and recommendation. The IBA Anti-Harassment Committee is investigating the case as per IBA and HEC rules, regulations, and procedures. We do not jump to any conclusions based on hearsay and always follow processes before any decision can be taken,” it added.
IBA Sexual Harassment case: Social media reacts
Netizens have strongly reacted to the expulsion of Jibrael from IBA. Women have argued that action against Jibrael is a big blow to the campaign against sexual harassment of women. No one will dare to speak against the injustice fearing consequences.
Activist Jibran Nasir highlighted the incident on his social media platforms. Jibran Nasir said: “Shame on [IBA Karachi] for expelling a student for exposing harassment of a female staff member by a male staff member.
“It’s not the student who defamed IBA, it is IBA which is defaming rather exposing itself with this step. A student’s career has been ruined for speaking truth.” Jibran Nasir is also Jibrael’s lawyer.
Journalist Zarrar Khuhro also denounced the decision of IBA. “This is a gross overreaction from IBA which must be set right. Such measures can and will only backfire,” wrote Khuhro on Twitter.
IBA Karachi has been facing strong backlash for expelling student for merely reporting a sexual harassment case. Social media is in angst for expelling a final year student and ruining his career. According to the reports, Jibrael is an outstanding student who scored more than 90% marks in his Matric. He is also working as teacher’s assistant in IBA.