At Least 20 Injured as Chhatra Dal Activists Attack JnUCSU Leaders, Teachers, Journalists

At least 20 people—including top leaders of the Jagannath University Central Students' Union (JnUCSU), university faculty, and journalists—were injured on Tuesday following repeated attacks by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) activists during an event attended by the University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman on campus.

The violence erupted at the university's central auditorium on Tuesday (August 4) when JnUCSU representatives attempted to enter the venue carrying placards to highlight several pressing campus demands before the visiting UGC Chairman. The demands included transferring the construction of the university's second campus to the Bangladesh Army, accelerating the execution of the temporary housing project in Keraniganj, and upgrading medical center facilities.

According to witnesses and affected student leaders, JCD activists intercepted the JnUCSU delegation at the auditorium entrance, resulting in verbal altercations and physical scuffles. The confrontation escalated rapidly as JCD members forcibly snatched and tore the placards before launching a physical assault on the student representatives. Video footage circulating on social media showed several individuals, including JnUCSU General Secretary Abdul Alim Arif, walking away bleeding, with senior leaders of the JnU JCD unit visible in the front lines during the altercation.

The attack left several key student representatives injured, including JnUCSU Vice President Md. Riazul Islam, General Secretary Abdul Alim Arif, Assistant General Secretary Masud Rana, Law Affairs Secretary Faruk, and Executive Member Abdullah Al Faruk. Other injured student leaders include JnU Chhatra Shakti President Shahin Miah, General Secretary Ferdous Sheikh, and Samajtantrik Chhatra Front JnU unit President Ivan Tahsiv. Dr. Rifat Hasan, a faculty member from the Department of Management who attempted to intervene and de-escalate the situation, was also injured during the commotion.

Furthermore, at least six journalists covering the university event—Suhayel Ahmed, Mohan Khondokar, Abdullah Al Mamun, Rajab Al Fahim, Kamruzzaman Kayes, and Jewel Miah—sustained injuries during the assault.

Describing the incident, JnU Chhatra Shakti President Shahin Miah stated that JCD activists indiscriminately beat students who were peacefully attempting to present student welfare demands to the UGC Chairman. Shahin noted that he was kicked and struck across his face, hands, and legs, adding that JnUCSU representatives have declared protest demonstration programs to demand accountability and immediate administrative action against the attackers.