Dhaka University (DU) became tensed as Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir engaged in chase-counter chase at around 7:30pm over journalist harassment on the campus.
Earlier, six journalists were found to have been harassed by activists of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) in two separate incidents at Dhaka University (DU), one of which involved a mob lynching attempt.
On Wednesday evening and late night, two different incidents at residential two distant areas raised concerns about safety of journalists on campus.
Three members of the Dhaka University Journalists' Association (DUJA) faced harassment at Bijoy Ekattorer Hall in the evening whilst filming an agitated situation. Prime Bangladesh's DU correspondent Iftekhar Sohan Sifat was prevented from recording video by JCD activist Navid Anjum Nibhan.
It was later became evident that despite Sifat identifying himself as a journalist, Nibhan stopped him from filming, saying, "Just because you're a journalist doesn't mean you can record video here".
When two other DUJA members, Daily Manabzamin correspondent Asaduzzaman Khan and Naya Diganta correspondent Harun Islam, argued, they were also harassed. Senior Chhatra Dal leaders eventually intervened to control the situation.
The incident stemmed from an argument between DU JCD activists over wall writings in front of the hall council room, followed by a spontaneous protest march where journalists were prevented from filming.
Late that night, three more journalists faced mob lynching attempt at Dr Muhammad Shahidullah Hall whilst covering tensions between JCD and Shibir over wall writings. The incident occurred during a meeting in a hall room attended by house tutors.
Perpetrators were identified Shahidullah hall JCD unit joint-convenor Hadi-ul Islam (2020-21); member secretary Junaed Abrar (EEE 2022-23); Rabiul Islam Nahid (Fisheries 2020-21); Safin Al Mahmud Khan Sifat (Zoology 2022-23); and Nur Mohammad with more students totaling 20 at least.
JCD leaders of the hall admitted that when three journalists entered, they were aggressively told to leave. When they refused to leave, the mob intimidated them.
DUJA president Manjur Islam Mahi, who was harassed, said, "Even after we identified ourselves, they said 'this is an internal matter, why are you coming from outside' Then several people rushed at us and tried to beat us".
He alleged that although house tutors were present during the incident, no effective measures were taken to ensure the journalists' safety.
Following the first incident, JCD DU unit President Ganesh Chandra Roy Shahos, office secretary Mallik Wasi Uddin Tami, Pallab Chandra Barman, JCD-backed VP of Jagannath Hall, Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman hall JCD unit convenor Md Jahidul Islam and other concerned leaders visited DUJA office to resolve the matter. Although they expressed regret to the journalists but didn't pledged to remain vigilant against such incidents in future.
Even while apologizing, Sahos said that such incidents will happen again and that each time they will be 'resolved' through discussions.
He did not assure that such incidents would not recur; instead, he said that even if 'Allah sent angels, they wouldn't be able to stop these things'.
He also told his supporting activist Nibhan, "If you get into a fight and crack head, I'll visit the hospital. Coming to seek justice in this way is humiliating for me".
But, in the second incident campus journalists found that their effort to give coverage to political group is absolutely good for nothing. It was also found that house tutors are totally ineffective to control students' mob group.
The house tutors' group, led by Zoology Department Associate Professor Dr. Md. Mizanur Rahman, told journalists that the matter had been dismissed after JCD activists apologized, and that no further action would be taken by the hall administration.
However, the harassment of six journalists in two consecutive incidents on the same day has created anxiety about journalists' safety on campus.
