Prominent student leader Meghmallar Basu has attempted suicide for a second time, according to leaders of Bangladesh Chhatra Union’s Dhaka University unit.
Meghmallar, a former president of a faction within the student body’s Dhaka University unit, was rescued in a critical condition near the gate of Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital on Monday night.
He was initially rushed to a private hospital before being transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. After receiving emergency treatment and being placed under close observation, doctors confirmed that his condition has now stabilised.
Muhammad Mostakim, General Secretary of the Dhaka University unit of the Bangladesh Chhatra Union, confirmed the incident to TIMES of Bangladesh.
“Meghmallar is now largely out of danger and remains under the observation of doctors,” Mostakim said.
Facebook post triggers search
Prior to the incident, Meghmallar published a lengthy post on his Facebook account expressing deep personal despair, intense feelings of guilt, and prolonged mental distress. In the post, he addressed his mother, friends, and fellow activists, requesting that his former girlfriend not be blamed for his death.
He also left several instructions regarding his medical treatment and family affairs.
The distressing post raised immediate alarm among his colleagues and well-wishers, who launched a search, located him near Suhrawardy Udyan gate, and rushed him to medical care.
Chhatra union leaders confirmed that doctors at Dhaka Medical College Hospital performed a gastric lavage to clear his stomach. However, colleagues declined to disclose the name of the facility where he is currently recovering.
A pattern of distress and political prominence
This marks Meghmallar’s second suicide attempt in recent months. On 20 February, he was admitted to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital in Dhaka after falling gravely ill from an overdose of sleeping pills, later making a full recovery.
Meghmallar emerged as a prominent figure in anti-government student movements during the tenure of the Awami League administration.
Renowned for his frontline role in student-led demonstrations, he sustained injuries on multiple occasions during police crackdowns.
He subsequently played an active role in the 2024 mass uprising.
