Friday, 31st July 2026
Khabor Wala Desk
Published: 31st July 2026, 11:38 AM
Rajshahi University (RU) has been gripped by growing tension following allegations of repeated assaults on students, accusations of politically branding victims before handing them over to police, and controversial remarks directed at journalists. The incidents have triggered widespread concern across the campus, with students, political organisations and journalists warning that the university’s academic environment is being overshadowed by intimidation and confrontation.
At the centre of the controversy is Salauddin Ammar, General Secretary of the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RAKSU) and one of the coordinators of Bangladesh’s July 2024 mass uprising. Several student groups have accused Ammar and leaders associated with Islami Chhatra Shibir of creating an atmosphere of fear and instability. Critics argue that the conduct displayed during the recent clashes mirrors the style of political violence that many students associate with the previous Awami League era, when campus conflicts frequently escalated into physical attacks.
Supporters of Ammar reject allegations that he has organisational ties with Chhatra Shibir, despite repeated claims from opponents that Shibir activists are regularly present during his programmes. Both Ammar and Chhatra Shibir have publicly denied any formal affiliation.
According to allegations made by several students, the confrontation on 27 July escalated when three unarmed students were attacked by individuals carrying bamboo sticks and sand shovels after a verbal exchange involving Ammar. The injured students were identified as Md Anas, Mahmudul Hasan and Hasan.
The controversy deepened when two of the alleged victims, Anas and Mahmudul Hasan, were later arrested by police. Anas was reportedly labelled a member of the Bangladesh Chhatra League, an allegation he has firmly denied. The arrests have fuelled criticism from sections of the student community, who argue that victims of violence were instead treated as offenders.
Rajshahi University’s unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and leaders of the Left Student Alliance strongly condemned the alleged assaults, describing the reported attack inside the university’s Central Library as unacceptable and damaging to the institution’s academic atmosphere.
The incident has now entered the legal arena. Mahmudul Hasan’s father, MS Asad Uz Zaman, filed a case with the judicial court through Motihar Police Station, naming Salauddin Ammar as the principal accused.
Eight others were also named in the case: RAKSU Assistant General Secretary Salman Sabbir, Nazmus Sakib, Mehedi Sajib, Fahim Reza, Ariful Islam, Ahsan Ullah Farhan, Sifat Abu Saleh and Nurul Islam Shahid.
The filing of the case has further intensified political tensions on campus, with rival student organisations demanding a transparent investigation and legal accountability.
Ammar has rejected the allegations against him. He claimed that individuals affiliated with the Chhatra League had first attacked him and his supporters inside the RAKSU building, forcing them to defend themselves.
His account has been disputed by Rajshahi University Chhatra Dal President Sultan Ahmed Rahi, who alleged that a personal dispute had been deliberately transformed into a political confrontation. He accused those involved of branding ordinary students as Chhatra League activists to justify the assault and demanded the cancellation of both the student union positions and studentship of anyone proven responsible.
Fresh controversy emerged during a press conference organised by RAKSU following the incident. Present at the briefing were RAKSU Vice-President and former Rajshahi University Chhatra Shibir President Mostakur Rahman Jahid, General Secretary Salauddin Ammar and Assistant General Secretary SM Salman Sabbir.
During the event, Jahid criticised media coverage of the incident, claiming that reports were one-sided and inaccurate. He accused sections of the press of showing sympathy towards the Chhatra League and objected to the language used in news reports. He also warned that action could be taken against journalists over their reporting while insisting that no student’s academic activities inside the library had been disrupted by their presence.
His remarks prompted sharp reactions from journalists’ organisations working at Rajshahi University. Several organisations condemned what they described as threatening and unprofessional behaviour and subsequently announced a boycott of all RAKSU-related news coverage.
University authorities have initiated an official investigation into the violence.
Proctor Professor Dr Mahbubur Rahman said the administration was working to restore stability across the campus and had already formed an inquiry committee to examine the incidents.
A five-member investigation committee has been tasked with submitting its report within ten working days. The administration says further decisions will be taken after reviewing the committee’s findings.
The latest incident has revived discussion of earlier allegations involving Salauddin Ammar. Critics note that his name has appeared in previous campus disputes, including allegations of confrontational behaviour towards senior university officials during the 2024 quota movement involving dependants of university employees.
Another allegation has also resurfaced following claims by Abdul Majid Antar, convener of the RAKSU Movement Platform, who alleged Ammar’s involvement in the killing of former Chhatra League leader Abdullah Al Masud in September 2024. Those allegations remain disputed and have not been established through a court verdict.
Following the library incident, the Democratic Student Alliance submitted a five-point memorandum to the university’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor.
The organisation called for legal action against those accused of assault, an impartial investigation into violence at the RAKSU building and attacks on Left student activists, speedy resolution of unresolved campus incidents since July, and greater accountability from the university’s Proctorial Body. Alliance leaders argued that the use of force by elected student representatives represents a serious criminal matter and warned that continued impunity risks encouraging further violence on campus.
Alongside these demands, students have launched a signature campaign in front of the university’s Central Library seeking justice for those allegedly assaulted. Organisers said the campaign would continue until Monday, reflecting growing concern among students over campus security, freedom of expression and the need for impartial enforcement of university regulations.
As investigations proceed and legal proceedings begin, the incidents have become one of the most closely watched developments at Rajshahi University. The outcome of the official inquiry and the pending court case is expected to play a significant role in determining how the university addresses allegations of political violence, student safety and institutional accountability.
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