Mymensingh: A student from Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) was reportedly assaulted on campus, sparking allegations of factional rivalry within the university’s unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD). The incident occurred in the Karim Bhaban area following an examination of the Faculty of Agriculture’s 61st batch.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the victim, Hasibul Hasan Koushik, a member of the convening committee of the BAU unit JCD, was identified as a follower of unit convener Md. Atikur Rahman. Koushik alleged that the attack was politically motivated, involving around 45 to 50 individuals, purportedly due to his political affiliations. Accusations were directed towards students from Isha Khan Hall, followers of unit senior joint convener A M Shoaib.
Koushik named several students, including Suleman Sani and others, as leaders of the assault. He claimed that previous political affiliations and support for the freedom fighter quota system during the 2024 movement were factors behind the attack. Following the incident, Koushik received treatment at the university healthcare centre.
However, the accused students denied these allegations. Suleman Sani, one of the accused, claimed he was not present during the incident, citing his engagement with academic activities at the time. He suggested that tensions from an earlier event involving Koushik and first-year students may have provoked the situation.
Sakib Al Hasan, another accused and joint convener of the BAU unit JCD, also refuted the claims, asserting that neither he nor the others were at the scene. He highlighted that university authorities were informed and that Koushik had a history of campus violence.
BAU unit JCD convener Md. Atikur Rahman and senior joint convener A M Shoaib have called for a thorough investigation. They emphasized that the victim should be seen first as a student, then as a political activist, and stressed the need for accountability regardless of political ties.
The university’s acting proctor, Prof. Dr. Quazi Forhad Quadir, assured that the matter was under serious consideration, with a probe committee set to investigate. He noted that social media discussions hinted at connections to prior disputes, which remain unverified at this stage.