G- Live Desk
Published: 30th July 2026, 7:18 PM
The Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU) General Secretary (GS), Salahuddin Ammar, has increasingly found himself at the centre of controversy, with allegations ranging from public harassment of teachers and students to interference in administrative affairs, threats against academics, physical attacks and politically contentious remarks.
The latest incident, involving allegations that three students were assaulted around the university’s Proctor’s Office and Central Library on Monday, has brought renewed attention to the issue. The allegations have sparked fresh concerns among sections of the university community about campus security, discipline and the boundaries of student representatives’ authority.
According to those who have raised complaints, a series of disputed incidents over an extended period, coupled with what they describe as a lack of visible disciplinary action, has contributed to a perception of impunity among Ammar and some of his associates. They allege that confrontational situations have occasionally developed even in the presence of university officials or law-enforcement personnel. As a result, some ordinary students reportedly feel reluctant to speak openly about the matter.
Ammar, however, has rejected many of the allegations. He maintains that several of the actions associated with him were part of movements and programmes undertaken in the interests of students. Regarding the latest library incident, he described it as a reaction to an earlier attack. He has also disputed allegations concerning the collection of Tk 7.6 million in donations, saying that the actual amount received was only Tk 250,000.
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Before Ammar was elected RUCSU GS, protests erupted over the university’s decision to reinstate the quota system for children of university employees. During the movement, allegations emerged that Ammar and his supporters had confined then Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Main Uddin inside the Juberi Building.
Subsequent allegations also included misconduct towards teachers and officials and an alleged assault on the Pro-Vice-Chancellor. The accusations triggered widespread criticism and raised broader questions about the use of force during campus protests and the increasingly strained relationship between student activists and university authorities.
Ammar denied physically assaulting any teacher at the time, saying that teachers were like parental figures to students. The episode nevertheless intensified concerns about whether disagreements over university policies were being allowed to escalate into confrontational and potentially violent situations.
Ammar’s name also surfaced in connection with the September 2024 death of former Bangladesh Chhatra League leader Abdullah Al Masud, who was reportedly beaten to death. Masud had previously lost a leg in an attack by rivals and used an artificial limb to walk.
Ammar has denied allegations that he led the attack. The incident generated considerable discussion in political and legal circles, but questions have continued to be raised about the status and outcome of action relating to the allegations against him.
Since becoming RUCSU GS, Ammar has faced allegations of exceeding the authority normally associated with an elected student representative and becoming involved in university administrative affairs.
A university teachers’ organisation also issued a statement alleging that he had behaved inappropriately towards members of the teaching staff and had issued threats.
On another occasion, allegations emerged that Ammar had obtained resignation letters from several deans and telephoned them in front of journalists, allegedly putting pressure on them. The episode raised a wider institutional question: how far should the authority of elected student representatives extend, and where should the boundary between student representation and university administration be drawn?
Ammar has also faced criticism over comments made on social media.
In May, a female leader of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union posted a photograph with a Pakistani student. A comment attributed to Ammar subsequently became the subject of controversy after a screenshot circulated widely online.
Earlier, in April, he was accused of publishing a satirical illustration concerning BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman. The allegation prompted protests by local BNP activists in Koyra, Khulna, who reportedly declared him unwelcome and organised a demonstration involving brooms.
Questions have also been raised over funds allegedly sought for a concert titled ‘July 36: Festival of Liberation’, organised to mark the anniversary of last year’s July mass uprising.
Ammar was accused of sending letters to various institutions seeking a total of Tk 7.6 million for the event. Concerns subsequently emerged over how much money had actually been collected and how it was spent. Ammar had reportedly said at a press conference that he would disclose the accounts.
Critics claim that a detailed public accounting has yet to be made available. Ammar, however, disputes the figure of Tk 7.6 million, saying only Tk 250,000 was actually received. The conflicting claims have fuelled calls for a transparent statement of the money collected, the sources of the funds and their expenditure.
In March, while speaking at a farewell event for former Vice-Chancellor Professor Saleh Hasan Naqib, Ammar referred to his own past activities and acknowledged that protests and pressure had previously been mounted against the Vice-Chancellor outside his office.
His remarks were interpreted by some as an indication of the longstanding tensions between sections of the student leadership and the university administration. The episode also highlighted the continuing debate over how student activism should operate within the institutional framework of a public university.
The allegations arising from Monday’s events have now become the immediate focus of attention.
According to complaints, Ammar and several students accompanying him allegedly attacked a student near the Proctor’s Office and Central Library after identifying him as a former activist of the now-banned Bangladesh Chhatra League. Two other students were subsequently allegedly assaulted. In total, the three students are reported to have been beaten at different points during the incident.
Videos and other accounts of the episode later circulated on social media, prompting criticism beyond the university campus.
A section of teachers and students has argued that even if there are allegations of political affiliation against an individual, no student leader or group has the right to take the law into its own hands. Any allegation of political involvement should be investigated through due process, they said, while physical assault or mob violence cannot be justified under any circumstances.
Mehedi Maruf, president of the Rajshahi University unit of the Bangladesh Students’ Rights Council, alleged that a particular group was using Ammar to advance its own interests. He argued that repeated incidents of confrontation and alleged attempts to mobilise mobs had complicated the situation, particularly because, in his view, effective action had not followed earlier incidents.
He also said the university administration should accept responsibility for failing to prevent a recurrence of such episodes.
Fuad Ratul, president of the Rajshahi University unit of the Socialist Students’ Front, also demanded firm action over the latest alleged assault. He said attacks on students could never be considered part of legitimate student politics and warned that such incidents create an atmosphere of fear on campus.
Ammar has defended his record, saying his involvement in movements against the quota for children of university employees, as well as actions such as blocking railway lines, was motivated by student interests rather than personal gain.
Regarding the alleged assault at the library, he claimed that members of his group had previously been attacked at the RUCSU building and that the latest incident was a response to that earlier confrontation.
Meanwhile, Mujahid Faisal, president of the Rajshahi University unit of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir, denied allegations that Ammar’s activities were connected to the organisation. He argued that if Ammar were affiliated with Shibir, he would have contested the RUCSU election on the organisation’s panel. Shibir, he said, should therefore not be held responsible for Ammar’s actions.
Abdul Alim, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of Rajshahi University, said those found responsible for Monday’s incident, or any other similar offence, would face disciplinary action if an investigation established the allegations against them.
He also confirmed that an investigation committee had already been formed to examine the latest incident.
The announcement, however, has not ended concerns among members of the university community. Critics point out that investigation committees have reportedly been formed in relation to previous allegations involving Ammar as well, yet the findings or concrete disciplinary measures have not always been clearly visible to the wider public.
The controversy has therefore evolved beyond the conduct of one student leader. At its heart is a broader question about accountability, student politics and institutional authority at one of Bangladesh’s major public universities.
Freedom of expression, the right to protest and participation in student politics are fundamental components of campus life. But those rights do not extend to harassment, intimidation, physical violence or unauthorised interference in university administration.
For Rajshahi University, the latest allegations present another test of its institutional credibility. A transparent and impartial investigation, followed by action based on established evidence and university regulations, will be crucial. Regardless of political identity or organisational affiliation, applying the same standards of accountability to everyone may be the only sustainable way to restore confidence, protect students and teachers, and ensure that the campus remains a safe environment for education and democratic engagement.
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