At least 10 people were injured in a clash between left-leaning student activists and “Anti-Shahbagh Unity,” thought to be comprised of mostly Chhatra Shibir members, at Rajshahi University on Tuesday night, after the acquittal of Jamaat-e-Islami leader ATM Azharul Islam by the Supreme Court.
The violence erupted around 8:15pm near the university’s Paribahan Chattar area, where leftist student groups were holding a torch procession protesting the acquittal of Azharul, previously sentenced to death for war crimes.
Sources said members of Chhatra Shibir -- considered the de facto student wing of Jamaat -- under the banner of the platform called Anti-Shahbagh Unity, had confronted the procession, leading to a physical altercation and stone-pelting between the two groups.
According to them, the Democratic Student Alliance had planned a torch procession at 7:30pm to protest the acquittal. However, it was delayed. Meanwhile, Chhatra Shibir activists launched their own procession from the Buddhijibi Chattar area around the same time, marching to Paribahan Chattar.
As leftist students began chanting slogans loudly, Shibir activists allegedly charged at them, triggering the clash.
Fuad Ratul, convener of the Socialist Students’ Front, said: “Nearly everyone in our procession was hurt. Four of our leaders bear clear signs of injury. We strongly condemn and protest this attack.”
Meanwhile, Rakibul Islam, convener of Anti-Shahbagh Unity, said: “Today’s verdict was part of a judicial process, yet some reject it just like they did in 2013 when they set the stage for fascism through their Shahbagh movement… We gathered peacefully, but they provoked violence by attacking us.”
When contacted for comment, RU Chhatra Shibir General Secretary Mojahid Faisal claimed it had not been an official Shibir event, but rather a broader initiative by Anti-Shahbagh Unity involving various groups.
“Today's program was held in protest against the role they (their opposition) played in 2013 in helping Hasina establish a culture of fascism and impunity,” he added.
Proctor Dr Md Mahbubor Rahman said the proctorial body and student advisors had intervened to defuse the situation.
“Both sides have made allegations of attack. We are monitoring the situation and will take necessary action,” he added.
