Clash Erupts Over Rag Day Event at Gopalganj University of Science and Technology

At Gopalganj University of Science and Technology (GUST), a violent clash broke out between two student groups centering around the cultural performances of the 2019–2020 batch’s graduation event titled “Nabaneetok-9.” At least 15 individuals, including the proctor and hall provost, were injured in multiple phases of the confrontation. Several rooms in Sheikh Russell Hall, Bijoy Dibosh Hall, and the Department of Political Science were vandalized.

The clash began around 1 AM on Thursday (July 31) at Bijoy Dibosh Hall following an argument between students from two departments. As a result, the concert segment of the graduation event “Nabaneetok-9” was canceled.

According to eyewitnesses, around 1 AM a dispute broke out between students from the Department of Political Science and the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE-C) over performance arrangements for the Rag Day cultural program. The argument escalated, and students from both sides engaged in violent clashes using sticks, stamp stands, bats, hockey sticks, local weapons, and GI pipes.

Led by Shafique, the Joint General Secretary of the student wing Chhatra Dal, an attack was launched on Sheikh Russell Hall, during which windows of several rooms were smashed. In retaliation, students from Sheikh Russell Hall gathered and attacked back, throwing out and setting fire to the furniture of Nahid Islam, a 2020–2021 student of the ASVM department, and Shafique, a 2019–2020 student of the Political Science department and Chhatra Dal leader. The Department of Political Science was also attacked and vandalized.

Among those injured were the university’s Proctor Associate Professor Dr. Arifuzzaman Rajib, Bijoy Dibosh Hall Provost Associate Professor Robiul Islam, Pharmacy student Obaidul Islam and Shahinur Rahman from the 2018–19 batch, and History student Abdur Razzak from the same batch. Seven severely injured individuals were admitted to Gopalganj Medical College Hospital.

Regarding the incident, Shafiqul Islam from the Political Science department and Joint General Secretary of Chhatra Dal said, “During the program at the academic building, two or three of our juniors tried to sit at the front with chairs. Some others told them, ‘Brother, if you sit in front like that, we can’t see anything.’ An argument followed, but the issue was resolved then and there.

Later, while we were returning to our rooms, 40–50 students suddenly chased us. We fled and took shelter in Bijoy Dibosh Hall. But they entered the hall with sticks and attacked us, injuring 5–6 of our department members. In anger, our students then left the hall and moved towards Sheikh Russell Hall.”

Proctor Dr. Arifuzzaman Rajib said, “The hall authorities have been assigned the responsibility. The incident is being investigated using CCTV footage and other evidence to identify those involved. The Vice-Chancellor has instructed for the highest possible punishment. A report has been ordered to be submitted within three working days.”