Fighting at SAU over addressing as ‘bro’ instead of ‘bhai’, 2 injured

Tension and a scuffle broke out among students at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU) over a junior student addressing a senior as ‘bro’ instead of ‘bhai’. The dispute that started around noon on Tuesday (September 8) turned into a clash at night. Allegations of assault, harassment and threats have been raised against several persons including a Chatra Dal leader in the incident.

According to students and eyewitnesses, 23 batch student Ratul Hasan Rumman called 21 batch student Sharif saying ‘Hey bro, hold the lift’ while boarding the lift of Bijoy-24 Hall around noon on Tuesday. Sharif got angry as the senior student was addressed as ‘bro’ instead of ‘bhai’. At one stage a verbal altercation started between the two over boarding the lift and later it turned into a scuffle.

Later when the matter became known the situation heated up further. It was learnt that Ratul Hasan Rumman is a follower of Chatra Dal leader Jibrail Sharif. At the time of the incident Jibrail went to the spot and got involved in the matter. When the news of the scuffle with 21 batch student Sharif spread, his classmates also gathered there. Later tension rose between the two sides and allegations were raised of chasing Jibrail with sticks as well as vandalising his room.

Rumman claimed that after class around noon he had absent-mindedly said ‘bro’ instead of ‘bhai’ in a tired state. He alleged that he was first scolded and later assaulted over this incident.

On the other hand, 21 batch student Sharif alleged that at night several persons including Rumman blocked his path and attacked him in front of the canteen of Sher-e-Bangla Hall. Rumman received an injury on the forehead while defending himself. He further alleged that Chatra Dal leader Jibrail Sharif came there with 15 to 20 persons, held his collar and took him outside the hall. At that time he was abused and threatened with being expelled from the campus, handed over to police as well as filing a case.

However, Chatra Dal leader Jibrail Sharif denied all these allegations. He said after hearing a noise in the hall he went to the spot and came to know that a problem had occurred between one of his juniors and a senior. When an attempt was made to sit in the guest room to resolve the matter, 21 batch student Animesh Roy called others. After that there was an exchange of words and a scuffle between the two sides.

The university administration has taken an initiative to investigate the incident. Proctor of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Professor Dr Arfan Ali said initially the incident appears to be a batch-based dispute. The matter is being examined in detail. After sitting with all the concerned parties on Wednesday and determining the actual cause of the incident, necessary measures will be taken.