DUCSU Leaders Vow Accountability Following Assault at Shahbagh Police Station

In a firm declaration regarding judicial accountability, Musaddiq Ali Ibne Mohammad, the Literary and Cultural Secretary of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU), has asserted that those involved in the recent assault on student leaders will face legal consequences. Speaking at the Vice-Chancellor’s office at Dhaka University on Sunday, 25 April 2026, he stated that every individual associated with the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) who participated in the violence would be brought to justice, even if it were to take half a century to achieve.

The incident in question occurred at the Shahbagh Police Station in Dhaka, where DUCSU leaders were reportedly targeted and physically assaulted. The confrontation has sparked significant tension within the university community, leading to formal demands for an investigation into the conduct of the political activists involved.

Details of the Incident and Context

The violence was precipitated by a dispute over content circulating on social media. Specifically, offensive posts regarding the Prime Minister, the Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Tarique Rahman, and his daughter, Zaima Rahman, had been shared on Facebook.

In response to these posts, Abdullah Al Mahmud, a DUCSU candidate from the Shibir-affiliated panel, visited the Shahbagh Police Station to file a General Diary (GD). He contended that the screenshots being circulated were fraudulent and intended to incite discord. Subsequently, DUCSU leaders A.B. Zubair and Musaddiq Ali Ibne Mohammad arrived at the station to support the legal proceedings. It was during this period that the leaders were subjected to a physical assault, allegedly at the hands of members of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal.

Statements on Justice and Perpetuity

Addressing the media and university officials, Musaddiq Ali Ibne Mohammad emphasised that the passage of time would not diminish the resolve to seek legal redress. He articulated a commitment to ensuring that those who planned, instigated, or executed the attack would be held accountable under the law.

“We will ensure your trial through the course of time. Whether it be today or fifty years from now, it shall be confirmed. Every person involved in this attack—those who provoked it and those who planned it—will be brought to justice.”

He further remarked on the severity of the encounter, noting that while the attackers failed to inflict fatal injuries, the ideological struggle they represent would persist. He suggested that even in the event of their demise, their message and the pursuit of justice would be carried forward by subsequent generations.

Critique of Political Silence and Moral Courage

During his address, Musaddiq also critiqued the broader political landscape and the perceived lack of solidarity from other quarters. He noted that DUCSU leaders had previously been at the forefront of protesting attacks against various political figures and members of the “July Power” movement in districts such as Gazipur.

He expressed disappointment that many individuals who had received such support failed to demonstrate the “moral courage” to even post a message of protest on social media regarding the Shahbagh incident. He observed that while the perpetrators and their associates appeared to celebrate the assault, such “jubilation” would be temporary.

Current Status and Investigation

The university administration has been formally notified of the events, and there is an ongoing expectation for a thorough inquiry into the breach of security and the violation of the law within a police precinct. The DUCSU leadership has maintained that their struggle is for the benefit of the student body at large, regardless of whether individual students or political observers choose to stand beside them.

As of Sunday evening, the authorities at Dhaka University and the Dhaka Metropolitan Police have not yet released a definitive report on the identification of all suspects. However, the rhetoric from the DUCSU representatives indicates that legal and departmental pressure will continue until formal charges are processed against the alleged assailants.