Another Hindu student’s hanging body found in JU hall

❐ Campus Correspondent

The hanging body of a Hindu student named Arup Ratan Kanishk was recovered from room 413 of Jahangirnagar University’s Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Haque Hall on Wednesday afternoon.

This student of the 50th batch of the Department of Archaeology was a resident of Narayanganj district.

According to hall administration and police sources, when classmates saw the room door locked from inside around 2 pm and expressed suspicion, Provost Md. Nazrul Islam Prantik went to the spot and recovered the body. Police took the body for autopsy.

Although it was initially thought to be suicide, the actual cause of death will be confirmed after the autopsy report.

According to classmates, Arup Ratan had been depressed and silent over various incidents since the political changes of August 5, 2024.

Several classmates have alleged that he was regularly denounced and vilified by the coordinators of various anti-discrimination and pro-July organizations, including the underground terrorist organization Shibir, for his involvement in Hindu and progressive activities.

The university administration said that an investigation into the incident is underway and necessary legal action will be taken.

There has been a series of deaths of Hindu students on university campuses in recent times. This incident is believed to be part of a series of deaths or suspicious deaths of Hindu students on various university campuses in Bangladesh.

Since August 2024, there has been an increase in attacks, harassment, and deaths against the minority Hindu community, including some notable incidents in universities:

• Jagannath University: In January 2026, the body of Hindu student Akash Sarkar was recovered from a mess. Later, in another incident, the death of a Hindu student who was thrown into a river with his hands and feet tied was reported, which has been alleged to be murder.
• On the evening of January 29, 2026, Upma Dutta’s body was recovered from her room in Bijoy-24 Hall of Chittagong University.
• College/University Related in Naogaon District: In January 2026, a Hindu student went missing and his body was recovered from the river. At the same time, there were reports of the suspicious death of another Hindu student.
• Other incidents: In 2025-2026, there were incidents of attacks and expulsions on religious grounds at various universities (such as Bangladesh University of Textiles). There were also reports of harassment of a teacher in the Sanskrit department at Chittagong University.

These incidents have led to allegations of mental stress, harassment and insecurity among Hindu students. Minority organizations, including the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, have claimed that attacks on minority communities have increased since 2024, including incidents of harassment and deaths targeting Hindu students on university campuses.

There is growing concern among students and the public that the safety of minority students on campuses is not being ensured. Classmates are mourning the death of Arup Ratan Kanishka and are demanding an investigation into the real cause.

The university administration, as well as law enforcement agencies, should quickly investigate, uncover the truth, and take effective steps to protect the safety and mental health of all students on campus.

If such incidents occur repeatedly, questions of communal harmony and security will arise in educational institutions, which could affect the overall image of the country.