On November 19, 2025, unknown assailants abducted, assaulted, and injured three students at Rajshahi University apparently because of their affiliation with the Chhatra League, the student wing of the Awami League, the now-banned political party that governed Bangladesh until August 2024.

Between ten and fifteen masked men armed with hammers, rods, and sharp weapons arrived on motorcycles at the Kazla Canteen near the university gate at 11:00 pm. Carrying photographs, the assailants searched for specific individuals before launching a violent attack on students at the canteen, injuring three and abducting two.

The two abducted students were located later that night. They reported being interrogated regarding their alleged affiliation with the Chhatra League.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about violent attacks against students on campus. Students and members of the public must refrain from violence, especially on campus, and respect the right to freedom of association and freedom of expression. State authorities should take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of scholars, students, and staff, including by investigating and holding perpetrators of such acts responsible, in line with international human rights standards. In addition to the harm to the immediate victims, such actions 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://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/three-ru-students-hurt-armed-attack-masked-assailants-4039376
https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/local-news/mx128sx0q8