RU administration considering ‘mental treatment’ issue of RUCSU GS Ammar

The administration of Rajshahi University is considering the issue of mental treatment for Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union general secretary (RUCSU GS) Salahuddin Ammar.

The information was confirmed to Views Bangladesh on Monday afternoon, around 4:00 pm, by Rajshahi University proctor Professor Md Mahbubur Rahman.

He said there is no legal restriction on putting up posters or banners on the university campus. However, Professor Dr Muhammad Nesar Uddin Talukder is a university teacher and also president of the Rajshahi district Zia Parishad. He had displayed a banner in the name of an organisation outside the university. As the GS found this objectionable, he became angry and tore down the banner, creating an unwanted situation.

The proctor said harassing a teacher through social media posts is not appropriate. University unit Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal has formed a human chain demanding mental treatment for the GS. The administration is considering the matter, but no formal decision has yet been taken.

On Sunday, Salahuddin Ammar tore down a banner congratulating Tarique Rahman on being elected BNP chairman, which had been put up on the campus by a university teacher and president of the Rajshahi district Zia Parishad. Following the incident, Chhatra Dal organised a human chain demanding his mental treatment and later submitted a memorandum to the vice-chancellor.

At the human chain held on Paris Road on campus, RU Chhatra Dal president Sultan Ahmed Rahi alleged that the RUCSU GS has repeatedly engaged in inappropriate behaviour and created provocative situations, damaging the peaceful academic environment. He claimed Ammar is mentally ill and a narcissist, and warned of tougher programmes if treatment is not arranged within 24 hours.

Attempts to contact GS Salahuddin Ammar for comment were unsuccessful.