Mob Assault on Rajshahi University Campus Leaves Three Students Injured

Repeated acts of violence erupted across the Rajshahi University campus on Monday, culminating in the brutal assault of three male students inside the central library reading room by student leaders and activists. The confrontations, which spanned multiple campus locations from the Proctor’s office to the central library, originated from an interpersonal harassment complaint before swiftly deteriorating into partisan accusations and mob violence.

The three injured students have been identified as Anas and Hasib from the Department of Islamic History and Culture, alongside Mahmudul Hasan from the Department of Sanskrit. All three received initial medical treatment at the university medical centre following the beatings.

The sequence of events began on Sunday evening when a female student from the Sanskrit Department lodged a written complaint with the Proctor, Professor Mahbubur Rahman. She alleged that a classmate, Mohsin Alam, had been harassing and threatening her after she rejected his romantic advances. Anonymous callers had also reportedly phoned her, claiming that Mohsin had committed suicide due to her refusal, and warned her to leave the campus.

Seeking to resolve the matter, the Proctor convened a meeting on Sunday night with the complainant and representatives standing for Mohsin, namely Anas, Hasib, and Mahmudul Hasan. The meeting descended into heated arguments after the trio denied the allegations and raised their voices at the Proctor.

A follow-up meeting was called at the Proctor’s office on Monday afternoon. During this session, Salahuddin Ammar, General Secretary of the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RAKSU), alongside other leaders, accused Anas of being an activist for the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL). Upon inspecting Anas’s mobile phone, leaders discovered photographs of him alongside several BCL figures. Following the discovery, Ammar and RAKSU Assistant General Secretary S. M. Salman Sabbir physically assaulted Anas inside the office before administrative staff temporarily defused the situation and cleared the premises.

The conflict escalated around 3:00 pm when Anas, Hasib, and Mahmudul allegedly confronted RAKSU leaders near the RAKSU building, targeting Ammar and Information and Research Secretary B. M. Najmus Sakib. Sakib sustained injuries during the altercation.

Following the scuffle, the three students retreated to the central library reading room. RAKSU representatives and activists from the Islami Chhatra Shibir arrived shortly after, resulting in a tense standoff marked by verbal altercations and brickbat throwing outside the facility. Seeking safety, the three students barricaded themselves inside the reading room.

Eyewitnesses reported that despite the Proctor entering the reading room to stabilize the area, a crowd composed of RAKSU representatives and Chhatra Shibir activists forced their way inside. Armed with wooden planks, bamboo sticks, iron rods, and belts, the group launched a systematic attack on Anas, Mahmudul, and Hasib. General students studying in the room who attempted to intervene were also struck.

Video footage retrieved from the scene depicts Ammar wielding a shovel inside the central library while associates attempted to restrain him. Secondary footage shows him striking an individual repeatedly with a heavy wooden stick inside the reading room.

Proctorial staff and police eventually contained the riot. However, as the severely injured Mahmudul Hasan was being transported to medical care, attackers attempted to drag him away and kicked him outside the library doors. Group members subsequently gathered outside the administration building, chanting religious slogans alongside calls for the absolute exclusion of BCL activists from the university.

Responding to student demands regarding BCL affiliation, police arrested Anas and Hasan on the spot. Proctor Mahbubur Rahman stated that a formal investigation committee would be established by the Vice-Chancellor to identify and discipline the perpetrators.

The incident sparked widespread concern among the general student body. Helal Uddin, a physics student present during the library raid, expressed shock at the breakdown of law and order, noting that attackers indiscriminately targeted students while labelling anyone in their path as BCL affiliates. Anas also defended himself, stating that while he had photographs with former friends affiliated with BCL, he was never an active member of the organisation, alleging he received over two hundred blows during the series of attacks.

Addressing his involvement, Ammar maintained that his actions followed an initial agreement to hand Anas over to the police, claiming administrative delays sparked further clashes. Meanwhile, Mehedi Hasan, General Secretary of the university’s Chhatra Shibir branch, denied official organisational involvement, though video records identified several Shibir-backed RAKSU officials and committee coordinators actively participating in the assault.

Commenting on the day’s events, Sultan Ahmed Rahi, President of the university’s Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (BJCD) unit, condemned the political escalation of a private dispute. Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Abdul Alim echoed these concerns, confirming that a disciplinary committee will investigate the breaches of university law and apply sanctions accordingly.