DU student beaten over Facebook post about March 7

A student of Dhaka University was beaten and abandoned at Shahbagh Police Station after posting on Facebook about Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman ahead of March 7 address.

The incident took place at the BUET campus canteen of Kazi Nazrul Islam Hall late Sunday night (March 8).

The victim, Rahid Khan Pavel, a 2020–21 philosophy student, was having sehri when the assault took place.

Footage circulating on social media shows several leaders of the banned student group Jatiya Chhatra Shakti dragging him outside and assaulting him.

Pavel sustained multiple injuries, including facial bleeding. His phone, wallet, ATM card, and bike keys were reportedly seized during the attack. He was later taken to hospital for treatment.

Jatiya Chhatra Shakti leaders, including Hasib Al Islam, Khalid Saifullah, and Shuvro, were identified in Pavel’s account of the attack. Khalid Saifullah also shared a post on Facebook showing Pavel sitting under a tree, captioned, “Did sehri with Chhatra League, Alhamdulillah.”

Shahbagh Police Sub-Inspector Kamal confirmed that Pavel was brought to the police station by students and sent to the hospital for first aid.

DU Proctor Professor Saifuddin Ahmed stated that the university administration had not been formally involved yet and that any legal action will follow due process.

Pavel denied any political affiliation, saying he is a regular student who attends classes and has no links to political groups.

Jatiya Chhatra Shakti claimed Pavel had previously been involved in campus unrest, but no formal evidence has been presented.