Students at Dhaka University’s (DU) Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall had blockaded the provost’s office, demanding his resignation, over allegations that he confined and mistreated a student in his office.
Around 2:45 a.m. Monday, when Chhatra Dal leaders and activists went to remove the provost from the location, scuffles and shoving broke out between them and the students.
Allegations emerged that at least six people, including hall union VP Abu Naeem and GS Imamul Hasan, were injured in an attack by Chhatra Dal leaders and activists. Students said GS Imamul Hasan’s condition was serious among the injured. The injured were subsequently taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital by ambulance.
Witnesses said university Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr Al Mozaddedi Alfesani, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Dr Abdus Salam, Acting Proctor Professor Dr Israfil Prang, and several assistant proctors arrived at the provost’s office that night to control the situation and rescue the hall provost. At one point, students blockaded them inside the office as well.
The two pro-vice-chancellors later left the location. At that time, hall union VP Abu Naeem, GS Imamul Hasan, and several other students were positioned at the gate of the provost’s office along with the proctor.
Witnesses said a group of Chhatra Dal activists suddenly arrived in a procession at the provost’s office, chanting slogans against Chhatra Shibir. Seeing the procession, hall union VP Abu Naeem said: “What are Shahidullah Hall’s thugs doing here?”
It is alleged that Chhatra Dal leaders and activists then attacked VP Abu Naeem and the students present. At least six people, including the VP and GS, were injured as a result.
Witnesses said Acting Proctor Professor Israfil Prang was also pushed and fell against a pillar during the attack. A group of Chhatra Dal leaders and activists then shielded him and escorted him out of the location.
Following the attack, hall union GS Imamul Hasan was seen lying on the floor. VP Abu Naeem’s shirt and panjabi were torn. The injured were then quickly sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital by ambulance.
Following the incident, the situation normalized after Chhatra Dal leaders and activists escorted the hall provost out of his office.
Journalists present at the scene alleged that Chhatra Dal leaders and activists obstructed them from filming video. However, DU Chhatra Dal Office Secretary Mallik Wasi Tami said journalists faced no obstruction in filming video.
He said Chhatra Shibir leaders and activists from other halls had come to the location. Chhatra Dal leaders and activists went there only after video of the VP and GS went viral.
Asked about Chhatra Dal leading the removal of the provost, he said: “We did not go inside. Chhatra Dal leaders and activists of the hall went there.”
Meanwhile, the affected student, Ibrahim, said following the incident that hall students had initially wanted to review CCTV footage. He said the footage would have made clear how the provost had locked the door and mistreated him. Despite the matter dragging on from 7 p.m. to past 2 a.m., the footage was not shown.
He said it was initially announced that media or students from other halls would not be allowed to view the footage — only he, the hall union, and a few DUCSU representatives would be permitted. However, teachers repeatedly delayed the matter, citing the need for internal discussion. At one point, students entered the office.
Ibrahim alleged the incident then took on the “customary” pattern of a conflict between Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir. He claimed both sides brought in their own people from other halls, during which he himself was left without justice.
He further said: “Chhatra Dal has taken a stance against me. FH Hall Chhatra Dal convener Abid Hasnat, along with several other committee members, guarded the accused provost and escorted him out. I sought justice, I wanted to see the CCTV footage. Yet I still haven’t received justice.”
It should be noted that students had blockaded the provost’s office since Sunday evening, demanding his resignation, over allegations that a student was confined and mistreated in the provost’s office. Tension continues to prevail on campus over the incident.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report