Violence erupted at Barishal University on Wednesday during programmes marking the “July Uprising Day”, as members of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and Islami Chhatra Shibir became involved in two separate rounds of clashes on campus. The confrontations left several people injured, with at least 10 students admitted to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital for treatment.
The first confrontation began at around 10:00 a.m. while both organisations were holding activities related to the commemoration. Although university authorities and police later brought the situation under control, both student groups have presented sharply conflicting accounts of how the violence started, each accusing the other of provoking the incident.
According to JCD leaders, their members were conducting a peaceful programme to observe July Uprising Day when activists from Chhatra Shibir allegedly entered the campus accompanied by outsiders and attempted to organise a procession. JCD claimed that objections to the presence of non-students quickly escalated into a heated argument before Shibir members allegedly attacked them with sticks and iron rods. They said between 10 and 11 of their activists were injured and later received treatment at hospital.
Hasibur Rahman Sifat, Joint General Secretary of the university unit of JCD, echoed the allegation, saying tensions rose after questions were raised over the participation of individuals who were not university students. He maintained that the dispute rapidly turned violent, leaving several members of his organisation injured.
Chhatra Shibir, however, rejected those claims and blamed JCD for initiating the violence. Speaking from his hospital bed, Shibir activist Md Al Amin said they had been holding a peaceful procession in memory of those killed during the July uprising when JCD activists suddenly attacked them before the march had concluded. He said the confrontation initially involved pushing and verbal exchanges before developing into physical violence.
Al Amin further claimed that the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Proctor and several teachers arrived at the scene in an effort to calm both sides. Despite those efforts, he alleged that the university unit president of Chhatra Shibir, Monirul Islam, was assaulted during the unrest. Al Amin said he was also attacked while attempting to protect him.
He also alleged that a second round of violence occurred when injured students were being escorted to the ground floor of the administrative building under the supervision of the Proctor to receive medical assistance. According to his account, the attack took place even in the presence of university officials. When asked about allegations that outsiders had participated in the procession, Al Amin acknowledged that some supporters who had been waiting near the campus might later have joined the march. He claimed that between nine and ten Shibir activists sustained injuries.
University Proctor Mehedi Hasan Sohag described the incident as the result of a misunderstanding between the two groups that quickly spiralled out of control. He said both sides exchanged blows during the confrontation before university authorities intervened to restore order. He added that several members of the administration were themselves injured while attempting to separate the rival groups and prevent further violence.
Among those receiving treatment at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital are Safwan (21), Shifat (27), Al Amin (25), Helal (26), Rabiul (23), Monirul Islam (26), Hafiz (23), Abdullah Al Baki (24), Hridoy (23) and Tarikul Islam (24).
Dr Md Saif, an intern in the hospital’s surgery department, said all injured students were receiving the necessary treatment. Based on the initial examinations, none of those admitted appeared to have life-threatening injuries. However, several patients complained of head trauma, prompting doctors to recommend CT scans before determining the full extent of their injuries.
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Barishal Metropolitan Police Belal Hossain said officers rushed to the university immediately after receiving reports of the clashes. Working alongside university authorities, police succeeded in bringing the situation under control and restoring normal law and order on campus. He added that the campus remained peaceful following the incident and that the situation continued to be closely monitored.
Campus-based political organisations have long played an influential role in student life across Bangladesh, but rival programmes and competing demonstrations have occasionally resulted in confrontations. Such incidents often require swift intervention by university authorities and law enforcement agencies to prevent further escalation and ensure the safety of students.
While normalcy has returned to Barishal University, the competing narratives presented by the two organisations leave the exact sequence of events disputed. Attention is now likely to focus on whether the university administration launches a formal investigation to establish responsibility, identify those involved in the violence, and determine whether disciplinary or legal action is warranted.
