SUST student assaulted over WhatsApp complaint about hall food

A student of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) was allegedly assaulted by two leaders of the university unit of Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) after he criticised the quality of food served at a residential hall canteen in a WhatsApp group.

The incident took place around 10:45pm on Saturday (July 18) in front of the university's main gate.

The victim, Khairul Khandaker, a first-year Sociology student and resident of Shah Paran Hall, received treatment at a hospital in Sylhet, university officials said.

The allegations have been brought against Hasibur Rahman, communication secretary of the SUST JCD unit, and Tarek Rahman, its assistant office secretary. Both are residents of Shah Paran Hall.

According to the victim, he had posted complaints in the hall's WhatsApp group about allegedly spoiled fish being served in the canteen and tagged the hall provost, demanding action.

He claimed the two accused later confronted him outside the campus gate and assaulted him after he refused to withdraw his criticism or apologise.

Eyewitnesses also alleged that the student was physically attacked following an argument over the WhatsApp posts.

The accused, however, denied the allegations, claiming the victim behaved aggressively and the altercation escalated into a scuffle after he allegedly attempted to assault them.

The incident sparked protests on campus, with students staging a demonstration outside the vice-chancellor's residence in the early hours of Sunday, demanding justice and punishment for those responsible.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Khairul Islam assured protesters that a three-member investigation committee has been formed and said appropriate action would be taken based on its findings.

Hall Provost Prof Iftekhar Ahmad denied any involvement, saying he neither encouraged nor endorsed any assault and that students are free to raise complaints regarding hall services.