Six Student Leaders Penalised Over Assault of Journalists

In a decisive move to address organisational indiscipline, the Kavi Nazrul Government College unit of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) has issued formal “show-cause” notices to six of its members. This disciplinary action follows a violent confrontation between two internal factions of the student political wing, during which two professional journalists were physically assaulted while performing their duties on campus.

The incident has sparked widespread condemnation within the media community, highlighting the growing concerns over the safety of reporters covering political unrest within educational institutions.

Details of the Disciplinary Action

The official notices were dispatched on the evening of Wednesday, 15 April. The correspondence was signed by Md Jamal Khan, the Joint Convener and Office Secretary of the college’s JCD unit. The leaders facing potential permanent expulsion or further disciplinary measures include high-ranking campus representatives and grassroots activists.

According to the press release, the accused have been charged with specific breaches of organisational discipline and conduct unbecoming of their positions. They have been granted a strict 24-hour window to submit a written explanation for their actions. This explanation must be presented in person on campus in the presence of the college unit’s Convener and Member Secretary. Failure to provide a satisfactory justification may result in permanent termination of their membership.

Individuals Issued with Show-Cause Notices

The Genesis of the Conflict

The tension traces back to a concert organised by the student wing to celebrate the Pahela Baishakh festival. During the festivities, a dispute erupted between followers of the college unit’s Convener, Irfan Ahmad Fahim, and the Member Secretary, Najmul Hasan. What began as a minor altercation escalated into a full-blown confrontation the following day.

At approximately 12:00 pm on Wednesday, the two rival factions clashed near the main gate of the college. The situation turned chaotic as supporters from both sides engaged in hand-to-hand combat.

Attack on the Press

Witnessing the commotion, two journalists—Biplab Sheikh, the Office Secretary of the Kavi Nazrul College Journalists’ Association and representative for The Daily Campus, and Obaidul Haque, a correspondent for Sonali News—approached the scene to document the event.

As the reporters began capturing video footage and photographs of the violence, the JCD leaders reportedly turned their aggression toward the press. Eyewitnesses stated that the student leaders, led by Rocky and Ivan, forcibly seized the journalists’ mobile phones to prevent any evidence of the brawl from being recorded.

The situation turned brutal when the activists allegedly used iron rods and blunt force to beat the two journalists. Despite identifying themselves as members of the press, the reporters were subjected to a sustained assault. Biplab Sheikh and Obaidul Haque sustained various injuries during the unprovoked attack before onlookers and other students could intervene.

Institutional and Journalistic Response

The Kavi Nazrul College Journalists’ Association has expressed its outrage, demanding not only internal political discipline but also legal accountability for those involved. They argued that attacking journalists is a direct assault on the freedom of the press and the public’s right to information.

The JCD central command has reportedly been briefed on the situation, as the college unit attempts to mitigate the reputational damage caused by the infighting. While the show-cause notices mark the first step in the internal investigation, the local authorities are also being urged to take cognisance of the physical battery and the theft of professional equipment.

As of Thursday morning, the campus remains tense, with a heightened police presence to prevent further skirmishes between the rival student groups. The outcome of the written explanations from the six accused leaders is expected to be made public following the expiry of the 24-hour deadline.