Two students from the chemistry department at Jagannath University (JnU) came under attack on Wednesday evening allegedly after speaking out against two students from the marketing department for wearing shoes while at the Shaheed Minar of the university.
The attack was reportedly led by Anik Kumar Das, a 2021-22 batch student of marketing, who is an activist of the Chhatra Dal and a close associate of Md Kazi Zia Uddin, vice president of the central Chhatra Dal.
The chemistry students, Tamanna Tabassum and Akash Ali, were injured in the attack. Akas Ali was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment after receiving initial care at Dhaka National Medical College.
Eyewitnesses reported that when a girl and a boy climbed onto the Shaheed Minar wearing shoes, Akash protested. A heated exchange followed between them, and at one point, when the girl’s friend, Mahi, pushed Akash, he withdrew his hand.
Mahi then called Anik, and within two minutes, Anik arrived with 15-20 other students, and they reportedly started to beat up Akash. During the attack, the female student who was with Akash was also injured.
Akash said: "We were preparing for a departmental program, and when the power went out, we came down for tea. A female student and a male student climbed the Shaheed Minar wearing shoes. When I protested, the girl said, 'I will do as I wish, I’ve worn shoes.' At one point, the boy got aggressive, and I had to defend myself, which led to Mahi calling Anik."
Akash continued: "Anik arrived and attacked me, and then more than 15 of his friends joined in. Anik started the first attack on me. They beat me in front of the Shaheed Minar and near the mathematics department. They kicked me in the chest, punched me, and even hit me with a bamboo stick from the Shaheed Minar. My friend Tamanna and another student were also injured while trying to save me."
In response, Anik said: "When my friend Mahi called me, I went to the Shaheed Minar and saw him having an argument with Akash. Since I was feeling unwell, I stayed behind; others attacked Akash."
Anik mentioned that students from the marketing department, including Mahfuzur Rahman Chowdhury Mahi (Batch 17), Ayan (Batch 18), Arif (Batch 18), Ratul (Batch 17), and Asif (Batch 18), were there.
Chemistry Department Assistant Professor Abdul Awal, an eyewitness, said: "I was stunned to see my students being beaten three times in front of me. I asked them to stop the violence, urging them to not engage in such fights."
Meanwhile, Chemistry Department Chairman Professor Dr AKM Lutfor Rahman expressed his sorrow, saying: "It is heartbreaking to see one of my department’s students being beaten in front of a faculty member. Every student is like my child, and it pains me to see such violence. I demand justice for this shameful incident. The university administration has promised me that they will take quick action."
JnU Proctor Dr Muhammad Tajammul Haque confirmed: "I’ve heard about the incident at Shaheed Minar in the evening. Assistant Proctor Ferdous Sir responded immediately. The chairman of the department has informed me about it. We will take action once we receive a written complaint and investigate the matter thoroughly."
Mehdi Hasan Himel, the convenor of the branch Chhatra Dal, commented: "I’ve heard that it’s a matter between students of the same department. We will investigate whether any Chhatra Dal members are involved."