DU student union activists attacked after protesting harassment of female students

The incident took place around 9PM in front of the Raju Sculpture on the university campus.

Chhatra Union central general secretary Shimul Kundakar alleged that several outsiders made offensive comments at three female students as they were taking a rickshaw near the Raju Sculpture. When several Chhatra Union activists protested, an altercation broke out and later turned into a physical assault, he said.

"I tried to stop them, but they started punching and hitting me. At that point, several people from a Chhatra Dal procession joined in. Three or four of our activists were assaulted,” Shimul said.

He alleged that some of the attackers were followers of Chhatra Dal, but said he could not confirm their identities, claiming they were outsiders.

Following the incident, Chhatra Union organised a protest procession on the campus around 11PM, demanding punishment of those responsible. The procession passed through several campus roads before heading towards the proctor’s office, with activists chanting slogans.

Chhatra Union said its central general secretary Shimul Kundakar was injured in the attack and was taken to the National Institute of Ophthalmology for treatment. 

The organisation also claimed that Anju Arindam, president of its Private University Parliament, and Mohammad Mostakim, general secretary of its Dhaka University Parliament, were assaulted.

Israt Jahan Imu, organising secretary of the Revolutionary Students Alliance, alleged that Chhatra Union leaders were attacked after protesting the harassment of female students allegedly by Chhatra Dal activists from the Dhaka metropolitan unit who had come to the campus for a show of strength. She condemned the incident and demanded action against those responsible.

Dhaka University Proctor Israfail Ratan said he had heard about the incident and that the university’s proctorial team went to the spot after receiving a call from the students.

“By the time our team arrived, none of the attackers were there. We are looking into what can be done.”