Controversy Surrounds Rajshahi University Student Leader Ammar

Salahauddin Ammar, general secretary of the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RACSU), has become the focus of mounting controversy following a series of allegations involving clashes, threats, confrontations with university officials and interference in administrative affairs.

The latest incident, reported on Monday, has intensified calls for action against him. Ammar and several others have been accused of assaulting three students in separate incidents at the university’s central library and around the proctor’s office. One of the alleged victims was reportedly taken out of an ambulance before being assaulted. The allegations have triggered widespread discussion and renewed concerns over campus safety and discipline.

Ammar has faced allegations of involvement in several controversial incidents over the past few years. These include an alleged assault involving a university pro-vice-chancellor, pressure on teachers over administrative matters, alleged involvement in the beating death of a former Bangladesh Chhatra League leader, threats against individuals, and provocative activity on social media.

Critics say the repeated emergence of such allegations, without any clear conclusion to earlier investigations, has contributed to a climate of fear among sections of the university community. They argue that student leaders, regardless of their political affiliation or position, should be held accountable if they are found to have violated university rules or the law.

One of the earlier controversies arose during protests against the reinstatement of a quota system for children of university employees. Around a month before Ammar became RACSU general secretary, he and his supporters allegedly confined then Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Main Uddin inside the Zuberi Building. Teachers and university officials were also allegedly subjected to physical harassment during the confrontation. Ammar later denied that teachers had been physically assaulted, saying teachers were like parents to students.

Ammar has also been accused of leading an attack that resulted in the death of former Chhatra League leader Abdullah Al Masud in September 2024. Masud had previously lost one of his legs in an attack by rivals and had been living with a prosthetic limb. Ammar subsequently denied the allegation.

After taking office as RACSU general secretary, Ammar was also accused of interfering in university administration beyond the authority of his student representative position. The university branch of the Nationalist Teachers’ Forum alleged that he had behaved improperly and issued threats that created anxiety among teachers. There were also allegations that he contacted several deans by telephone in front of journalists while holding their resignation letters.

His activities on social media have generated further controversy. In May, he reportedly posted a contentious comment in response to a photograph shared by Umme Salma, a Dhaka University Central Students’ Union office-bearer responsible for the common room, reading room and cafeteria, who had posted a picture with a Pakistani student. Screenshots of the comment later circulated on social media, prompting criticism.

In April, Ammar was also accused of publishing a caricature involving BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman. The incident reportedly prompted protests by BNP supporters in Koyra upazila of Khulna, where demonstrators declared him unwelcome and staged a protest march.

Questions have also been raised over funds sought for a concert titled ‘July 36: Festival of Liberation’, organised to mark the anniversary of the July uprising. Ammar reportedly sent letters to around 70 organisations seeking Tk 7.6 million for the event. He had said that he would disclose details of the funds collected and spent at a press conference. Critics, however, say such an accounting has yet to be made public. Ammar has disputed the figure, claiming that only around Tk 250,000 was actually collected.

In March, while commenting on the departure of former Vice-Chancellor Professor Saleh Hasan Naqib, Ammar also referred to his own past confrontations with the university administration. His remarks were widely discussed as they appeared to acknowledge the difficult relationship he had previously maintained with the former vice-chancellor.

The most recent allegations have once again brought the question of accountability to the forefront. According to allegations, Ammar and members of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir attacked students at the proctor’s office and central library after accusing one of them of being a former member of the now-banned Chhatra League. Three students were allegedly assaulted at different points during the day.

Student leaders have strongly criticised the incidents. Mehedi Maruf, president of the Rajshahi University unit of the Bangladesh Students’ Rights Council, alleged that Ammar was being used by Shibir to serve its interests and accused him of repeatedly creating situations involving mob action. He said the failure to properly address previous incidents had allowed the situation to escalate, and argued that the university administration could not avoid responsibility.

Fuad Ratul, president of the university unit of the Socialist Students’ Front, said the allegations involving Ammar, RACSU assistant general secretary Salman Sabbir and other senior Shibir leaders had created fear on campus. He described the alleged assaults as criminal acts and called for those responsible to face strict punishment if the allegations were established.

Ammar has rejected the criticism and defended his actions. He said his involvement in issues ranging from the quota protests to railway blockades had been motivated by students’ interests rather than personal gain. Addressing the library incident, he claimed that members of the opposing side had first assaulted people at the RACSU building and recorded the incident, and that his actions were a response to that confrontation. He also reiterated that the widely discussed Tk 7.6 million fundraising figure did not reflect the amount actually collected.

Shibir’s Rajshahi University unit has also denied organisational responsibility for Ammar’s activities. Its president, Mujahid Faisal, said Ammar was not affiliated with the organisation and that Shibir would not accept responsibility for his actions. He argued that had Ammar been a Shibir member, he would have contested the RACSU election on the organisation’s electoral panel.

The university administration has promised action if allegations are substantiated. Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Abdul Alim said an investigation committee had already been formed following Monday’s incidents. Those found to have been involved, he said, would be brought under disciplinary action.

The latest episode has therefore placed renewed pressure on the university authorities to ensure a transparent investigation. With allegations of misconduct and violence repeatedly surfacing, students and teachers are now demanding that any action be based on evidence and applied without political or organisational bias. The credibility of the university’s disciplinary process, they argue, will depend on whether the latest investigation produces a clear outcome and whether those found responsible are held accountable.