Multiple women have been injured during a protest in Chattogram against the acquittal of Jamaat leader Azharul Islam, accused of committing war crimes in 1971. The Ganatantrik Chhatra Jote has accused activists associated with the Chhatra Shibir, the student wing of the Jamaat-e-Islami, of orchestrating the attack.
Ripa Majumder, president of a students’ organisation, said that the Left Wing activists had gathered near the Chattogram Press Club to protest against the acquittal of Azharul Islam and a previous attack against students at the Rajshahi University.
“As we were putting up our banner, several hundred people — mostly Shibir activists and some from a faction of Students Against Discrimination — attacked us with sticks and brickbats,” the President of the Samajtantrik Chhatra Front’s Chattogram city unit said.
She also said that at least 15 activists were injured in the attack. Among them were at least 2 women. The Ganatantrik Chhatra Jote is a coalition of 7 left-wing student organisations. Meanwhile, the Chattogram unit of the Islami Chhatra Shibir has denied involvement in the attack.
The Police has reportedly detained two individuals in connection with the attack. The left wing coalition has accused the Police of standing idly by as they were attacked.
Jamaat vs Left Wing Clash at Rajshahi University
The Left Wing has been protesting against the acquittal of Azhraul Islam ever since the verdict was pronounced. In a protest against the same at the Rajshahi University turned violent.
WATCH: Leftists and Jamaat's Students Wing clashed at the Rajshahi University yesterday. Both sides are accusing each other of provoking the clash. There are injuries on both sides. pic.twitter.com/OHWxyqDga5
— Sensei Kraken Zero (@YearOfTheKraken) May 28, 2025
Both groups had accused each other of provoking the violent confrontation. There were injuries on both sides, per reports.
Ganatantrik Chhatra Jote calls Chhatra Shibir a ‘terrorist organisation’ after Chattogram attack
The Left Wing coalition’s central unit carried out a procession in Dhaka on Wednesday evening. The rally involved brief clashes as well. The General Secretary of Democratic Student Council, Fahim Ahmed Choudhury, said, “Shibir attacked our rally that opposed war criminals. We saw similar attacks today in Chattogram and yesterday in Rajshahi. This proves that Shibir has not deviated from its anti-Liberation stance of 1971.”
The leaders of the Ganatantrik Chhatra Jote also called the Jamaat Shibir a terrorist organisation that was attempting to “rehabilitate” itself through other student groups. Fahim added, “Shibir is a fascist, anti-Bangladesh, and terrorist organisation. We strongly reject and condemn it.”
