Shibir, Chatradal clash at DU's Shahidullah Hall over 'homosexual activity' incident
The clash erupted at the provost's office during an inquiry meeting over allegations involving two guests staying in a student's room.
A clash broke out between activists of Islami Chhatra Shibir and Jatiotabadi Chatradal at the office of the provost of Dr Muhammad Shahidullah Hall at the Dhaka University today (2 August), centring on allegations of "homosexual activity" involving two guests at a student's room.
The incident took place this afternoon following allegations against two guests staying in the room of Hall Students' Union Assistant General Secretary (AGS) Ibrahim Khalil.
Both Chatradal and Chhatra Shibir accused each other of initiating the attack.
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Shahidullah Hall Chatradal Member Secretary Junaid Abrar told The Business Standard that the inquiry committee had called the complainant to the provost's office for the meeting.
"After the complainant left the provost's office, a Shibir activist from the 2020-21 academic session abused our Hadi bhai. An argument followed, and then they attacked us. Several of our members were injured," he alleged.
He further alleged that Chhatra Shibir was trying to protect the AGS over the allegations and "promote homosexuality".
However, Shahidullah Hall Students' Union General Secretary (GS) Toukir Hasan denied the allegation of an attack and presented a different account of the incident.
He told TBS that around 2:30pm, two Chatradal leaders entered the inquiry committee meeting and attempted to pressure those present while the meeting was ongoing.
"As news of the incident spread, more general students gathered there. At the request of the teachers, everyone moved away from the room area and went towards the cafeteria and upper floors," he said.
Toukir alleged that the situation became tense later after Chatradal leaders created further disorder, citing an excuse that "photos had been taken".
"House tutors came forward to control the situation and tried to remove them. At that point, they attacked us," he claimed.
Earlier, eyewitnesses told TBS that the incident occurred during the inquiry committee meeting, where both the complainant and the accused AGS were called.
The situation reportedly escalated inside the provost's office before turning into a physical altercation.
Attempts to contact Professor Dr Anwar Hossain Bhuiyan, convener of the inquiry committee and a residential teacher of Shahidullah Hall, and Hall Provost Aminul Islam for comments were unsuccessful.
