More than 50 people, including student leaders and journalists, were reportedly injured in a clash after a group of Chhatra Shibir activists attempted to enter a university programme carrying placards highlighting campus-related demands on Tuesday.
The violence erupted around 11:30am at the university’s central auditorium during a documentary screening attended by the chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC).
Allegations have been raised against leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) for carrying out the attack.
According to eyewitnesses, several Jnucsu representatives and members of the Inqilab Moncho attempted to enter the venue carrying placards highlighting a series of demands, including the transfer of the university’s second campus construction project to the Bangladesh Army, the expedited implementation of a temporary student housing project in Keraniganj, and improvements to medical facilities and healthcare services at the university’s medical centre.
An argument reportedly broke out after they were prevented from entering with the placards, eventually escalating into a violent clash.
The incident heightened tensions across the campus.
Following the clash, JCD activists staged a demonstration demanding that Islami Chhatra Shibir be expelled from the university.
Jnucsu General Secretary Abdul Alim Arif alleged that JCD activists attacked students with sticks while they were peacefully attempting to present their demands.
He also claimed that several Jnucsu representatives were injured and that the university’s medical centre was vandalised during the violence.
Arif demanded a fair investigation, punishment for those responsible, and immediate action by the university administration.
He warned that a protest programme would be announced if authorities failed to take action within a specified timeframe.
Jatiya Chhatra Shakti President Shahin Mia claimed that at least 10 to 12 members of his organisation were injured in the attack.
He alleged that he was kicked and assaulted on his face, nose, hands, and legs, adding that the organisation’s General Secretary, Ferdous Sheikh, also sustained injuries.
Samajtantrik Chhatra Front President Ivan Tahsiv criticised the decision to prevent students from entering the UGC chairman’s programme with placards, describing it as undemocratic.
He alleged that JCD activists attacked members of Jnucsu, Inqilab Moncho, and Islami Chhatra Shibir, and claimed that one Shibir activist was beaten by 20 to 30 people.
He also criticised what he described as the administration’s silence, saying it had created a sense of insecurity among students and calling for effective measures to prevent campus violence.
Rejecting the allegations, JCD’s Jagannath University unit Member Secretary Shamsul Arefin said the accusations were intended to divert attention from JnUcsu’s failures and the activities of Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir.
“When we saw them attempting to create mob situations at Begum Rokeya University, we observed similar attempts at Jagannath University. Since the events of 5 August, they have continued promoting a culture of mob politics similar to the tactics once associated with the Chhatra League,” he said.
Arefin further claimed that ordinary students had resisted what he described as attempts to politicise the issue of student housing and that the reaction came from the broader student community rather than from JCD.
Neither the university administration nor law enforcement authorities had issued an official statement on the incident at the time of filing this report.
The exact cause of the clash and the number of injured remain unverified, with conflicting claims from the parties involved.
