Leaders of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal Dhaka University unit on Sunday submitted an application to vice-chancellor professor ABM Obaidul Islam, seeking punitive action within 48 hours against those allegedly spreading rumours and provocative misinformation online.
In the letter, they alleged that since August 5, 2024, a group has been disseminating ‘provocative, obscene and baseless’ content on social media centred on the DU campus, creating what they described as an artificial political instability.
They claimed that online platforms, including Facebook pages and groups such as DU Insider, Daily DUCSU, and Voice of Gen Z have been targeting activists of Chhatra Dal, as well as BNP chairman and prime minister Tarique Rahman and his family members, particularly women leaders and politically conscious students, through smear campaigns and personal attacks.
The letter also alleged direct involvement of several DU students, including Faisal Uddin of Persian language and literature (2018–19), Hasanul Bannah, vice-president of Bijoy Ekattor Hall union, and DUCSU vice-president Shadik, saying evidence of their involvement has surfaced publicly.
The Chhatra Dal leaders said misuse of freedom of expression to spread false information and incite violence was unacceptable, alleging that previous complaints to the university administration had not resulted in effective action.
They warned that failure to take exemplary punitive measures would further damage the university’s image and could lead to more violence.
They also demanded stricter online monitoring of DU-based groups and pages and called for shutting down platforms accused of spreading rumours and misinformation in coordination with relevant state agencies.
Meanwhile, Dhaka University Central Student’s Union leaders on Saturday submitted a complaint to the vice-chancellor of Dhaka University, demanding justice over an alleged attack on DUCSU and hall union representatives on April 23.
According to the complaint, a student of Salimullah Muslim Hall Abdullah Al Mahmud went to Shahbagh police station to file a general diary over a fake photocard circulated in his name but was allegedly detained, while Surja Sen Hall union executive member Sayeduzzaman Nur Alvi was reportedly attacked when he went there.
The complainants said the victims sought help, claiming there was no police presence at the station and expressing fears for their safety.
In response, several elected representatives, including DUCSU social welfare secretary Zubair Bin Nesary, literature and cultural affairs secretary Musaddiq Ali Ibne Mohammad, liberation war and democratic movement secretary Fatima Tasnim Zuma, and common room, reading room and cafeteria secretary Umme Salma, went to the police station.
However, they alleged that activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal present there attacked them without provocation, leaving several injured; some required hospitalisation for three days, while Haji Muhammad Mohsin hall union cultural affairs secretary Zulhas Islam reportedly suffered a ruptured eardrum.
The DUCSU leaders urged the university authorities to investigate the incident and take action against those responsible in line with university rules, demanding exemplary punishment.
Meanwhile, Musaddiq Ali Ibne Mohammad, DUCSU literature and cultural affairs secretary, alleged that police did not accept a case when they went to file it over the assault on DUCSU leaders in front of Shahbagh police station on Sunday evening.
He said that they went to the police station but the police told them that they would inform later after investigation about when the case would be accepted.
They also said that nothing could be done without consulting higher authorities and only a written complaint was received, he added.
