Rajshahi University Student Leader Threatens Action Against Journalists

The vice-president of Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RACSU), Mostakur Rahman Zahid, has threatened action against media outlets and journalists over reports concerning the assault of three students at the university.

Zahid alleged that several media organisations had presented the recent incident in a one-sided manner and, in doing so, had effectively defended the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League. He made the remarks at a press conference held at the RACSU office on Tuesday evening.

Addressing journalists, Zahid said RACSU was monitoring reports published about the recent assault and collecting articles that, in his view, had portrayed the Chhatra League favourably. He said action could be taken against journalists associated with such reports.

The RACSU vice-president also objected to media reports describing the incident as an ‘attack’. According to his account, the students had acted in response to an earlier assault and what took place should therefore be described as ‘resistance’ rather than an attack.

His comments brought into sharp focus a disagreement over how incidents of violence on university campuses should be characterised in news reports. Zahid argued that reporting only on the physical confrontation, without examining the events that preceded it and the roles allegedly played by the different sides, could result in a distorted or incomplete account.

Journalistic reporting, however, generally requires the circumstances surrounding an incident to be established through the accounts of victims, witnesses and other relevant parties. In cases involving competing allegations, the distinction between an alleged attack and an act of self-defence or resistance can depend on evidence, chronology and independent verification. The choice of terminology is therefore often closely linked to the facts established during reporting.

At the press conference, Zahid also rejected allegations that students had been removed from the university’s central library or that academic activities had been disrupted. He claimed that a human chain held in front of the library had not been organised by ordinary students, but rather by members associated with Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal.

Zahid also alleged that the media had failed to give sufficient attention to an earlier incident of violence at the RACSU building. According to his account, one person was beaten and two others were attacked, with one of them sustaining bleeding injuries. He argued that the earlier incident had received less media attention than the more recent assault involving three students.

Questions were also raised during the press conference about the political affiliations of individuals involved in the earlier incident. In response, Zahid said RACSU had identified a central figure in that incident, named Anas, as being affiliated with Bangladesh Chhatra League. At the same time, he said RACSU had called for action against individuals linked to Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal who were allegedly involved.

RACSU General Secretary Salauddin Ammar also spoke at the press conference. He highlighted the influence that particular words can have on public perceptions, arguing that the language used in news reports can shape, or damage, an individual’s reputation. He questioned why the media could not describe the incident in the same terms as RACSU, which regards it as an act of resistance.

The press conference also brought wider concerns about campus security, violence and political influence to the forefront. RACSU put forward a six-point set of demands, including legal action against those allegedly responsible for threatening to kill a female student, the arrest and prosecution of those accused of attacks on the RACSU building and students, and an investigation into what the union described as alleged inaction by the university administration.

The student body also called for effective measures to prevent violence and the misuse of political affiliations on campus, stronger guarantees for student safety, and legal action against individuals accused of past acts of violence and those allegedly associated with the Bangladesh Chhatra League.

The dispute comes at a sensitive time for the university, with questions being raised over student safety, campus discipline and the influence of political groups. At the same time, Zahid’s warning of possible action against journalists has prompted renewed discussion about press freedom and the relationship between student organisations and the media.

The developments underline the need for all allegations surrounding campus violence to be investigated impartially. Reports involving clashes or assaults should be based on verified evidence and, where possible, include the accounts of all relevant parties. Equally, university authorities have a responsibility to ensure that allegations of violence are investigated transparently and that those found responsible are held accountable, regardless of their political affiliation.

For Rajshahi University, the immediate challenge is to address concerns over student safety while ensuring that disagreements over the reporting of incidents do not escalate into pressure on journalists. A transparent investigation into the alleged assaults, coupled with responsible and evidence-based reporting, could help reduce tensions and establish a clearer account of what happened.