Protest against Shibir’s attack on journalists at Jagannath University

❐ Campus Correspondent

Jagannath University branch Chhatra Dal has staged a protest rally and surrounded the VC building to protest the administration’s biased behavior in the attack on journalists by Shibir at JO.

At that time, they demanded that the VC and proctor resign, taking responsibility for the attack.

Today, Sunday, March 8, at noon, the procession started from the university’s Shanto Square, went around the Science Building, and ended with a short rally in front of the administrative building.

At that time, they raised slogans like ‘Atharva administration’, ‘Do not accept or disobey the Dalkana administration’, ‘Why are journalists attacked? The administration should answer’.

Mehedi Hasan Himel, convener of the university branch of Chhatra Dal, said at the protest rally, “We have not interfered in the activities of any journalist organization since August 5, 2024.”

However, he alleged that Jamaat-Shibir leaders and activists have taken control of these organizations through secret political activities.

The association was taken over through a ‘rigged election’, leaving out a section of Shibir journalists.

Mehedi Hasan Himel also said that on the prescription of Jamaat-Shibir, the current vice-chancellor has formulated a new constitution for the Journalists’ Association, in which the president of the Teachers’ Association has been excluded from the advisory council.

He said, “After the term of the previous committee ended, elections were held in a hurry so that Shibir and Jamaat-affiliated journalists could be brought in to lead. We had asked the VC sir to hold an inclusive election with everyone. But he did not do so. In this context, on March 5, a heinous attack was carried out on journalists led by Jamaat-Shibir.”

The convener of the university’s Chhatra Dal branch also said that the responsibility for the attack lies entirely with the university’s vice-chancellor and the current administration. He demanded that those involved in the incident be brought to justice quickly.

Shamsul Arefin, member secretary of the university branch of Chhatra Dal, said, “We strongly condemn and protest the heinous attack on journalists by Jamaat Shibir. The pro-Jamaat VC is responsible for this attack. No investigation committee has been formed into this attack so far. The VC must resign, taking responsibility for this attack and for not being able to provide scholarships to students.”

At that time, Chhatra Dal joint convener Zafar Ahmed, Sumon Sardar, Md. Mostafizur Rahman Rumi, Md. Shahriar Hossain, Mahmudul Hasan, Rabiul Awal, Nahian Bin Anik, Shakhawat Hossain Parag, Mia Russell and more than a hundred leaders and activists of Chhatra Dal were present.

Incidentally, a clash broke out between two groups of journalists from the organization supported by Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir over the JBU Journalists Association elections. The incident took place in front of the Journalists Association office on the third floor of the university’s recreation building around 12:15 pm on Thursday. At least 20 people, including journalists from both sides, were injured.

Shibir and Chhatra Dal accused each other of attacks in this incident. After the attack, the university administration postponed the association’s elections.