United News of Bangladesh

Students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) staged protests on the campus on Wednesday, demanding the identification and punishment of the person accused of making an alleged indecent proposal to a female student after obtaining her phone number through a Facebook page. The protesters formed a human chain in front of the university's Central Library around 12:45pm before bringing out a procession across the campus. Earlier on Tuesday night, the victim, a student of the Department of Public Administration, filed a General Diary (GD) with Jalalabad Police Station over the incident. According to the GD, the student responded to a tuition-related post on a Facebook page named “SUST Update” by expressing her interest in the comment section. After the page administrators requested her phone number, she shared her personal mobile number. The student alleged that on June 24, she received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number offering her a job. She claimed that after she replied, the sender made offensive and indecent remarks and proposed an inappropriate relationship. She further alleged that when she rejected the proposal, the sender threatened her. During the protest, students alleged that if the administrators of the “SUST Update” Facebook page are unable to protect users' personal information, they should be held accountable for collecting it. They demanded that the authorities identify the owner of the phone number used to send the alleged messages and take legal action against the person. The protesters also called for accountability from the Facebook page administrators regarding the handling of users' personal information.

Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) will hold a prayer and milad mahfil at the Central Mosque of Dhaka University on Wednesday to commemorate those killed in the historic July-August mass uprising and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. The information was disclosed in a press release signed by JCD Office Secretary Md Jahangir Alam on Tuesday (July 21). According to the press release, the student wing has announced a month-long programme to commemorate the historic July-August mass uprising, pay tribute to the martyrs and the injured, preserve its historical memory, recognize the contributions of all stakeholders, and strengthen national unity against fascism. As part of the programme, a prayer and milad mahfil will be held after Asr prayers on Wednesday (July 22) at the Central Mosque of the University of Dhaka, seeking eternal peace for the souls of all those who were killed during the July-August uprising and praying for the swift recovery of those who were injured. JCD Central President Rakibul Islam Rakib and General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir are expected to attend the programme.

Jahangirnagar University (JU) authorities have suspended eight students of the Department of Physics over allegations of ragging first-year students. The university announced the decision in an office order signed by acting Registrar ABM Azizur Rahman on Tuesday afternoon. Jahangirnagar University suspends 16 students over ragging of freshmen According to the order, the accused students, all from the department's 2024-25 academic session (54th batch), allegedly ragged several freshers of the 2025-26 academic session (55th batch) in the Monpura area on the western side of Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Huq Hall from 10:00pm on July 20 until around 3:00am the following day. The victims were allegedly subjected to inhuman treatment, verbal abuse and forced physical punishment, including repeated sit-ups while holding their ears. The office order said the alleged acts violated Section 5(6) of the “Jahangirnagar University Discipline Ordinance for Students-2018”, which prohibits teasing, ragging and all forms of abusive behaviour in university halls, academic departments and other areas on campus. After finding primary evidence, the university authorities suspended the eight students pending completion of disciplinary proceedings. The suspended students are Md Fazle Hasan Fahad, Md Al-Amin Hossain, Md Jahid Hasan, Md Faisal Ahmed, Md Mahmudul Hasan Khan Akib, Md Mahmudul Amin Siam, Md Mostafizur Rahman and Syed Sakib Ahmed Ratul. Following the alleged ragging incident, members of the JU Central Students' Union (JUCSU) and the university's Security Office rushed to the spot and rescued the victims. The victims later filed a written complaint with the university proctor. Following a preliminary investigation, the university administration took disciplinary action against the accused students.

Dhaka University (DU) celebrated its 106th founding anniversary – DU Day 2026 – on Wednesday with a day-long programme highlighting the institution's contributions to higher education, democratic movements and nation-building. The celebrations began in the morning with a colourful procession, led by Vice Chancellor Prof Dr ABM Obaidul Islam. Teachers, students, officers and employees from different halls and administrative buildings joined the rally. The programme also included the hoisting of the national and university flags, cake cutting and cultural performances featuring patriotic songs and the university's theme song. The theme of this year's Dhaka University Day was "Restoration of Democracy and Dhaka University in Higher Education."  A discussion was held at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC), where a commemorative publication marking the occasion was unveiled and a documentary on the university was screened. Speaking at the event, the vice chancellor said Dhaka University has remained closely linked to Bangladesh's history, democratic movements, the Liberation War and the nation's development since its establishment. He said the university has consistently played a leading role in meeting the nation's expectations during critical moments while making significant contributions to higher education, research and human resource development.

Jahangirnagar University (JU) authorities have handed an outsider over to police for secretly recording female students inside a women's washroom at the university's Teacher-Student Centre (TSC). Inspector (Investigation) of Ashulia Police Station Md Azgar Ali on Tuesday noon said a case was filed against the accused – Riaz Ahmed Raj, a resident of Keraniganj – and he was sent to court. According to witnesses, female students detained the accused around 2:15am on Tuesday inside the women's washroom at the TSC. The university later handed him over to police. According to the complaint, Riaz entered the women's washroom, where a female student questioned his identity and asked why he was there. When students became suspicious of his behaviour, they wanted to check his mobile phone. He initially refused but later handed over the device after being confronted by the students. The students claimed that they found videos secretly recorded through the gap beneath the washroom door on the phone. They also claimed that the phone contained similar videos recorded in the same washroom since January this year. The students assaulted the accused before university security officials and the proctorial team intervened. The university later submitted a written complaint to police, handed over the accused and seized his mobile phone as evidence. JU Proctor Prof Dr AKM Rashidul Alam said, "We found videos on his mobile phone. Following due procedure, we handed him over to police. The university has filed a case in this regard," he said.

Dhaka University Day 2026, marking the 105th founding anniversary of the university, will be celebrated on Wednesday with a day-long programme. This year's theme is "Restoring Democracy and Dhaka University in Higher Education." All preparations have already been completed to celebrate the day. A preparatory meeting was held on Tuesday with DU Vice Chancellor Prof Obaidul Islam in the chair. Obaidul Islam appointed Dhaka University VC, Mamun Ahmed named UGC chairman Marking the occasion, the vice chancellor extended his heartfelt greetings and congratulations to the university's current and former teachers, students, researchers, guardians, officers, and staff. He also sought everyone's cooperation in advancing the university's academic excellence and modernising education and research. Dhaka University formally began its academic journey on July 1, 1921. As part of the celebrations, teachers, students, officers, and employees from all residential halls and hostels will gather at Smriti Chirantan at 9:30am. A colourful procession, led by the vice chancellor, will begin at 9:45am and march through the campus with the participation of teachers, students, alumni, officers, and staff. The formal inauguration will take place at 10:00am in front of the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC), where the national flag, the university flag, and the flags of the residential halls will be hoisted, followed by a cake-cutting ceremony. Students and teachers from the Department of Music will perform the national anthem, the university's theme song, as well as songs of Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam. International students will also present a separate musical performance. In addition, a concert will be arranged in front of Raju Memorial Sculpture. A discussion titled "Restoring Democracy and Dhaka University in Higher Education" will begin at 10:30am at the TSC auditorium. The keynote paper will be presented by Emeritus Professor Serajul Islam Choudhury of the Department of English. To facilitate the celebrations, all classes will remain suspended from 9:00am to 12:00pm, although scheduled examinations will be held as usual. The university has also announced traffic restrictions to ensure overall security during the event. From 2:30pm to 10:00pm, the entry of vehicles to the campus will be restricted. Only vehicles bearing DU stickers and that of essential service vehicles, including ambulances, doctors, patients, journalists, ride-sharing, food delivery, online shopping delivery, and other government vehicles, will be allowed to enter through the Shahbagh, Doel Chattar, Shibbari Crossing, Fuller Road, and Nilkhet entry points.

Md Sajid Hasan has been elected president and Miftahul Jannat Rifat general secretary of the Dhaka University Debating Society (DUDS). The election for the 2026-27 executive committee of the  the central debating organisation of the university was held on Monday. The election results were announced around 8:00pm by the Chief Election Commissioner, Prof Dr SM Shameem Reza. Assistant Election Commissioners Zubayer Hossain and Ragib Anjum, Election Secretary Md Sabbir Hossain, and Election Observer Mohiuddin Mujahid Mahi were present during the announcement. The new committee will serve a one-year term after formally assuming office. Sajid Hasan is a student of the 2020–21 session in the Department of Islamic History and Culture. He previously served as General Secretary of Surja Sen Bitarkadhara and Vice President of the Department of Islamic Studies Debating Club. Miftahul Jannat Rifat is a student of the 2020–21 session in the Department of Marketing. She currently serves as General Secretary of the Athenium Debate Forum at Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall. She is also the General Secretary (GS) of the Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall Students' Union.

Jubilant Argentina supporters erupted in celebration at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) of Dhaka University after the reigning world champions secured a commanding 3-1 victory over Jordan to storm the FIFA World Cup knockout stage unbeaten. The win saw Argentina finish the group stage with a perfect nine points from three matches, sealing qualification for the Round of 32 as group champions.

Students from Lakshmipur district studying at the University of Dhaka formed a human chain demanding justice for the brutal killing of a mother and her two daughters in Raipur, Lakshmipur, and exemplary punishment for those responsible for the incident as well as other recent murders across the country. The human chain was organized under the banner of Dhaka University Lakshmipur District Students’ Welfare Association at the Raju Memorial Sculpture on Thursday night. Earlier in the day, at around noon, a young man allegedly entered a house in Raipur armed with a machete and attacked a mother and her daughters. The attack left Shahinur Begum, 40, and her two daughters, Sayma Akter, 21, and Shipa Begum, 10, dead. Shahinur Begum and Shipa Begum died on the spot, while Sayma Akter succumbed to her injuries while undergoing treatment at a hospital. Another daughter of Shahinur Begum, Ikra Begum, 17, sustained serious injuries. She was initially taken to Raipur Upazila Health Complex and later transferred to Dhaka for advanced treatment. Reports also indicate that a suspect in the incident was beaten to death by an angry mob. Speaking at the human chain, Syed Abdur Rahim, president of the Dhaka University Lakshmipur District Students’ Welfare Association, said, “Today, none of us feels safe anywhere. People are now being hacked to death in broad daylight. In Lakshmipur, four members of a single family were brutally attacked. The accused person was also killed in mob violence, raising concerns about how far the normal judicial process can proceed in this case.” He further said, “Crime is increasing across the country, yet we are not seeing effective measures from the Home Minister or law enforcement agencies. Time and again, they are demonstrating their failure to ensure public safety.” Addressing the Home Minister, Rahim added, “If the government cannot ensure the safety of people’s lives and property, then the Home Minister should resign and allow someone else to take responsibility.” Meanwhile, several media outlets initially reported that deceased victim Sayma Akter was a student of the University of Dhaka. However, it was later learned that she was not affiliated with the university. Commenting on the matter, the university’s Proctor said, “I spent the entire day verifying the information. I could not find any student of that name at the University of Dhaka. I also checked whether she was a student of any of the affiliated seven colleges, but that could not be confirmed either. I do not know why some media outlets identified her as a Dhaka University student. There may even have been a motive behind such claims, perhaps to somehow link the university to this incident.”

A flash mob and cake-cutting ceremony were held at Dhaka University (DU) on Wednesday marking the 39th birthday of Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi.