Dhaka University Journalists’ Association (DUJA) has condemned the attack on the journalists at the Rajshahi University by Chhatra Dal and demand exemplary punishment against the involved, as well as an environment that ensures journalists can work safely on campuses.
DUJA’s president Manjur Hossain Mahi and secretary Liton Islam expressed the condemnation in a joint statement today.
The statement notes that on Sunday night, leaders and activists of Chhatra Dal attacked journalists with locally made weapons while they were performing their professional duties in front of the Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall at Rajshahi University. At least ten individuals participated in the attack, including M Ahsan Habib (Vice-President of the university unit), Hasibul Islam (Joint General Secretary), Shariful Islam (Vice-President), Shahriar Alam (Assistant Office Secretary), and activist Bishal Chakraborty.
“The journalists were brutally beaten with machetes, cleavers, hockey sticks, iron rods, and baseball bats, and attempts were made to snatch their mobile phones. At least ten people were injured in this reckless attack, including Arif-uz-Zaman Korban of bdnews24.com, Jahidul Islam of Daily Agamir Somoy, Noor Ahsan Mridul of The Daily Star, and Mainul Islam Raju of Daily Samakal,” the statement added.
DUJA leaders said, "We demand a speedy trial for this incident. If justice and accountability are not ensured following this attack, questions naturally arise regarding the performance of the relevant state institutions.”
Mentioning a past incident the statement said, “On April 23 of this year, at least ten members of DUJA were attacked by Chhatra Dal while performing their professional duties inside the Shahbagh Police Station. Although the Dhaka University administration formed an inquiry committee following the incident, more than five months have passed without the report being submitted or any visible action being taken. The Shahbagh police also did not register a case regarding the incident.”
Such impunity and procrastination not only delay justice but also increase the risk of similar incidents recurring in the future. The government, law enforcement agencies, and the university administration cannot in any way evade responsibility for this state of impunity, the statement mentioned.
The leaders said the failure to ensure justice and accountability for attacks on journalists undermines public expectations for a free, democratic Bangladesh after the July uprising. They called for prompt legal action and exemplary punishment against those involved in the Rajshahi University attack and urged authorities to ensure a safe, uninterrupted environment for journalists to perform their professional duties on all campuses.