Rajshahi University dismissed Professor Md Mahbubar Rahman, the provost of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall, after a press assault that officials attribute to Chhatra Dal, the student wing of the governing BNP. The institution also disclosed on 6 October that the investigative panel must deliver its findings within three days.
University Actions and Investigation Timeline
University officials convened with student demonstrators and media representatives in the vice-chancellor’s conference room at roughly 23:00 yesterday; the discussion lasted over two hours and addressed six items raised by the protesters. Vice-Chancellor Professor Md Faridul Islam announced the outcomes at about 01:15 on Wednesday and subsequently called for confidence in the university’s resolutions. The statement added that individuals identified as culpable would face provisional suspension and be listed in the charge sheet of the criminal case filed over the assault.
Faridul indicated that measures will also target persons who incited or supported the violence. He noted that the Syndicate will meet after receiving the inquiry’s conclusions to commence procedures that could lead to permanent expulsion within fifteen days. The VC further mentioned that academic certificates of accused former students will be revoked and that they will be prohibited from entering the campus. “We hope to receive the investigation report within 72 hours. Based on the report, the punishment prescribed under university rules will be ensured. The Syndicate will then be convened and appropriate action will be taken through the proper process for further investigation,” the VC said.
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“No one responsible for this incident will be spared. Not only those identified directly, but also those who posted on Facebook and contributed to bringing the situation to this point will face action,” Faridul stated. He also said the repeated locking of the administrative building would be examined.
Protest and Boycott by Journalists’ Groups
Earlier, campus journalists together with students organized a sit-in outside the administration block to object to the filing of a case against unidentified perpetrators. At one stage, the demonstrators locked the vice-chancellor and other officials inside the building for approximately forty-five minutes. Afterwards, representatives of the students and media held further talks with university authorities.
In reply to the protestors’ list, the vice-chancellor pledged that the probe would be finished and its report handed over within three days. Three campus-based journalists’ associations announced a boycott of all university-administered programmes until the findings are presented. The groups said the boycott will persist until the administration implements visible and effective steps against those implicated in the assault, and they will monitor whether the promised timeline is honoured.
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Following the administration’s announcement, student protester Shah Paran remarked that some of the demands had been accepted and a plan for the remaining items had been outlined. “If the administration works properly, we will cooperate. But if we find any negligence, we will announce further protests,” he said.
Aftermath of the Attack
The incident on the night of 4 October left at least ten individuals wounded, among them four journalists. Eyewitnesses and the injured press members identified Chhatra Dal leaders and activists as the assailants. Those hurt received care at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. In the wake of the event, the central Chhatra Dal expelled three leaders from their posts for breaching discipline and issued show-cause notices to six additional members, granting them 48 hours to reply.
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