A student of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) was allegedly assaulted on campus on Monday, with both sides trading accusations and linking the incident to internal rivalry within the university unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD).
The incident took place in the Karim Bhaban area after an examination of the 61st batch of the Faculty of Agriculture, according to sources.
The victim was identified as Hasibul Hasan Koushik, a student of the 61st batch of the Faculty of Agriculture and a member of the convening committee of the BAU unit JCD. He is known as a follower of unit convener Md. Atikur Rahman.
The accused students, residents of Isha Khan Hall, are said to be followers of unit senior joint convener A M Shoaib.
Koushik alleged that he was attacked due to political differences. “Those who assaulted me were previously associated with Chhatra League. During the 2024 movement, they also supported the freedom fighter quota system. I have proof of these matters,” he said.
“As I am involved with Chhatra Dal politics and serve on the convening committee, I believe they attacked me over political differences. Around 45 to 50 people attacked me after I came out of the exam hall,” he added.
He further alleged that several students, including Suleman Sani, Abrar Muntasir, Mahin Hossain, Naimur Rahman Diganta, Nishat and Sakib Al Hasan, led the assault.
Koushik said he later received treatment at the university healthcare centre and was resting in his dormitory.
However, the accused students denied the allegations, calling them false and motivated.
Suleman Sani said he was not present at the scene during the incident. “I also had an examination that day. After the exam, I went to a teacher’s chamber to discuss an upcoming tour. Later, I came to know about the incident,” he said.
He claimed that tensions had already developed during an orientation programme of the Faculty of Agriculture last Thursday, where Koushik allegedly misbehaved with some first-year students of Isha Khan Hall.
“Perhaps junior students reacted out of anger. I had no involvement in the matter,” he said.
Sani also alleged that Koushik mentioned his name due to personal resentment after losing a class representative election. He denied any political links.
Another accused, Sakib Al Hasan, a joint convener of the BAU unit Chhatra Dal, rejected the allegations, saying neither he nor the others named were present at the scene during the incident.
“The university administration and hall provosts are aware of the matter. When the incident occurred in front of Karim Bhaban, none of us were there. The allegations brought against Suleman Sani, Mahin Hossain, Diganta, Nishat and myself are entirely motivated,” he said.
He added that Nishat, also a joint convener of the BAU unit Chhatra Dal, was in Bogura at the time as the Prime Minister was visiting the district, while the others were staying in their hall rooms.
Sakib further alleged that Koushik himself had previously been involved in acts of violence on campus.
“A few days ago, one of our first-year hall students was taken behind Sohrawardy Hall by a group of 10 to 15 people. It remains to be seen what position the university administration takes regarding such a person,” he added.
Meanwhile, BAU unit JCD convener Md. Atikur Rahman and senior joint convener A M Shoaib both demanded a fair investigation into the matter.
Atikur Rahman said the victim was first a general student and then a political activist, adding that he had gone to sit for an examination and was assaulted afterwards.
He alleged that some unruly students, previously linked to Chhatra League and currently residing at Isha Khan Hall, carried out the attack.
“As far as we know, the incident stemmed from a faculty-related programme held a few days ago. There was no direct political issue involved,” he said.
Senior joint convener Shoaib said the dispute appeared to have originated during a reception programme for the 63rd and 64th batches of the Faculty of Agriculture last Thursday.
“We want punishment for whoever is responsible, regardless of affiliation. A probe committee should be formed to ensure justice,” he said.
He also questioned claims that first or second-year students currently enrolled at the university could have been linked to Chhatra League, noting that they were admitted in 2025 after the organisation had lost its campus presence in August 2024.
BAU Acting Proctor Prof. Dr. Quazi Forhad Quadir said the university was treating the matter seriously and taking necessary steps.
“A probe committee will investigate the incident in detail. Only after the investigation will we be able to provide a full account,” he said.
He added that discussions circulating on social media suggested the possibility of links to an earlier dispute, which could not yet be ruled out.