On January 17, 2023, members of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) – the student wing of the ruling party, the Awami League – reportedly assaulted and injured two members of Jatiotabadi Chatra Dal (JCD) – the student wing of the opposition Bangladesh National Party – near the University of Dhaka.

The two JCD activists, Mahmudul Hasan and Zubair Ali, were reportedly having tea together when two members of BCL chased and assaulted them near the University. Both Hasan and Ali were reportedly treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital for their injuries.

Hasan was previously the president of Islami Chhatra Andolon, the student wing of Islami Andolon Bangladesh, another Bangladeshi opposition group, but joined JCD politics last year.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about violent attacks by students on other students. State and university authorities must take reasonable measures to ensure safe living conditions for students, and students must refrain from violence and respect the right to freedom of association. In addition to harm to the immediate victims, violent attacks on students undermine academic freedom and democratic society generally.

Sources:
*SAR identified this incident in data made publicly available by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED)
https://unb.com.bd/category/Bangladesh/two-jcd-activists-allegedly-beaten-up-by-bcl-at-du/108458
https://www.thedailystar.net/youth/education/campus/news/2-jcd-men-beaten-bcl-activists-du-campus-3223726
https://www.newagebd.net/article/191918/bcl-beats-jcd-activists-at-du