At least 10 people, including multiple journalists, sustained serious injuries on Sunday night after leaders and workers of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) — the student wing of Bangladesh's ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) — allegedly attacked reporters and students at Rajshahi University, according to local media reports. The assault, which took place outside Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall, has drawn sharp condemnation from press freedom groups and civil society organisations across Bangladesh.

How the Attack Unfolded

According to witnesses cited by Bangladeshi media, JCD leaders and workers marched in a procession from the university's Transport Market toward the hall gate, reportedly targeting Ariful Islam, the hall parliament General Secretary. They were allegedly armed with locally made weapons, including machetes, cleavers, hockey sticks, iron pipes, and baseball bats.

When the university proctor arrived at the scene, the JCD workers reportedly concealed their weapons. Journalists who reached the spot to document the incident were subsequently attacked. Attempts were also reportedly made to snatch their mobile phones.

Journalists Identified Among the Injured

Four journalists have been named among those injured. They are: Arifuzzaman Korban, university correspondent of bdnews24; Zahidul Islam of Agamir Shomoy; Noor Ahsan Mridul of The Daily Star; and Mainul Islam Raju of Samakal. The extent of their injuries has not been formally disclosed by hospital authorities, according to available reports.

Transparency International Bangladesh Demands Justice

Anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) issued a statement on Monday voicing serious concern over what it described as an 'armed attack and death threats' against journalists at Rajshahi University. TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman was quoted as saying: 'Justice must be ensured for the media workers and students who were attacked. Regardless of their political affiliation or power, the perpetrators of the attack, along with their accomplices and supporters, must be prosecuted and held to a high standard through an unbiased investigation.'

Iftekharuzzaman also posed a direct challenge to the political establishment: 'Can the ruling BNP and the opposition Jamaat-e-Islami evade their primary political responsibility to end the violent struggle for asserting authority and to control their respective parties and affiliated organisations?' TIB further urged the leadership of both the ruling BNP and opposition Jamaat-e-Islami to introduce fundamental reforms and take effective self-corrective measures within their parties and affiliated organisations.

Press Bodies Call for Exemplary Punishment

The Dhaka University Journalists' Association (DUJA) also sharply condemned the attack, demanding a speedy trial for all those involved. In a statement, DUJA leaders warned: 'If justice and accountability are not ensured following this attack, questions naturally arise regarding the performance of the relevant state institutions.' The association also called for concrete measures to guarantee a safe working environment for media professionals on university campuses across Bangladesh.

This incident adds to a pattern of growing concern over press freedom and campus violence in Bangladesh, with student-affiliated political groups repeatedly accused of intimidation and physical assault. Authorities have not yet made any arrests in connection with Sunday night's attack, and calls for an independent investigation continue to mount.