Summary:
Information Advisor Mahfuz Alam was struck by a water bottle while addressing protesting students of Jagannath University at Kakrail intersection late Wednesday night. The students are demanding housing scholarships, full budget approval, and expedited work on a second campus. Following the attack, Alam refrained from naming anyone but called on the media and administration to identify those behind the incident, suggesting sabotage by a politically motivated group. The Chhatra Dal member secretary later expressed regret but distanced students and teachers from the act. The day’s events also saw clashes with police, leaving dozens injured.
Full Article (Rewritten):
Information Advisor Mahfuz Alam was pelted with a water bottle while addressing protesting students of Jagannath University at Dhaka’s Kakrail intersection on Wednesday night. The incident occurred during a heated moment of dissatisfaction expressed by students rallying for their three-point demand.
Alam had arrived at the scene around 10 p.m. to engage with the students, who have been demonstrating for housing scholarships for 70% of students starting from the 2025–26 academic year, full approval of the proposed university budget without cuts, and implementation of the university’s second campus as a priority project in the next ECNEC meeting.
While speaking to the crowd, a water bottle struck Alam on the head, prompting him to leave without continuing his remarks. About 15 minutes later, he addressed the media, stating, “What happened to me today—there are people among the protestors I consider saboteurs. I will not name them now. It’s the responsibility of the media and the administration to investigate and reveal their political affiliations.”
He added, “You’ll find a group behind this—those who have carried out personal and online attacks for eight months are the ones responsible for today’s act as well.”
Following the incident, Jagannath University Chhatra Dal member secretary Shamsul Arefin, speaking on behalf of the students, expressed regret over the attack but asserted that regular students and faculty were not responsible.
Earlier in the day, the protest escalated into clashes. A long march that began from the university’s Genocide Sculpture Square at 12:15 p.m. was halted by police near Kakrail Mosque. Attempts by students to move past barricades led to police baton charges, tear gas, sound grenades, and the use of water cannons. Around 50 teachers and students were reported injured during the confrontation.
By 2 p.m., approximately 200 students had taken position at the Kakrail intersection, halting traffic. Later in the afternoon, they were joined by several hundred others, including Vice-Chancellor Professor Md. Rezaul Karim and Treasurer Professor Sabina Sharmin, who arrived in eight university buses to show support.
The protest highlights growing frustration over infrastructure, budgetary, and accommodation issues affecting Jagannath University’s academic community.
