Jamaat condemns ‘attacks’ on Chhatra Shibir activists at educational institutions

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar today (4 August) condemned attacks on Chhatra Shibir leaders, activists and students at several educational institutions, allegedly carried out by activists of Chatradal.

In a statement, the former MP alleged that Chatradal activists attacked Shibir members at Jagannath University, Dhaka College, Government Madrasah-e-Alia in Dhaka and Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur.

Porwar claimed that an event organised by students at Jagannath University (JnU) marking the 2nd anniversary of the July Uprising came under an “armed attack” by Chatradal activists.

He alleged that Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JnUCSU) Vice-President Riajul Islam was also assaulted when he tried to assist injured students.

According to the Jamaat leader, JnUCSU General Secretary and Jagannath University unit Shibir President Md Abdul Alim Arif, Assistant General Secretary Masud Rana, Riazul Islam and around 20 to 25 other students were injured in the incident.

He further alleged that Chatradal activists attacked a July exhibition organised by Shibir at Begum Rokeya University last night. Similar attacks were also carried out at Government Madrasah-e-Alia, where several laptops and mobile phones were allegedly taken from hostel rooms, and at Dhaka College, he claimed.

“I strongly condemn and protest these armed attacks and acts of violence by Chatradal,” Porwar said.

He said students and the public had expected educational institutions to become safer after the July Uprising, with an end to extortion, campus dominance and political violence.

“Students expected that campuses would no longer witness the display of weapons and that no student would face oppression,” he said, alleging that Chatradal had instead followed the “violent path of Awami fascism” to establish dominance on campuses.

Porwar also alleged that Chatradal activists assaulted journalists during the JnU incident and later entered National Medical College Hospital, where injured students had been taken for treatment, and attacked them with bats and iron rods.

He questioned the role of the university administration and law enforcement agencies, alleging that they failed to protect the injured students.

The Jamaat leader further alleged that BNP-affiliated organisations were engaged in activities aimed at destabilising the country.

He claimed that activists carrying local weapons and wearing helmets were seen marching on the Begum Rokeya University campus, while another group led by a Jubodal leader held a procession in the capital’s Bakshibazar area.

Alleging that the BNP had failed to counter its political opponents ideologically and was instead “following the path of fascist violence”, Porwar called on university and college authorities, as well as law enforcement agencies, to identify those responsible for the alleged attacks and bring them to justice.

He also demanded institutional investigations and disciplinary action against those involved, urging educational authorities to ensure a peaceful academic environment and prevent similar incidents in the future.

Earlier in the day, clashes between Chatradal and Chhatra Shibir activists at Jagannath University, Dhaka College and Government Madrasah-e-Alia left dozens of people injured.