Azharul’s acquittal: 5, including journo, injured in clashes between leftist students and 'anti-Shahbaghis' at RU

At least five people, including a journalist, were injured in clashes between "anti-Shahbaghis", including Islami Chhatra Shibir members, and leftist students at Rajshahi University (RU) today during a torch procession to protest the acquittal of Jamaat-e-Islami leader and death sentence convict ATM Azharul Islam in a war crime case.

The injured individuals include Nasim Sarkar, president of RU unit of Chhatra Gonomanch; Tarek Ashraf, an organiser of the Revolutionary Student-Youth Movement; Kaiser Ahmed, treasurer of RU Chhatra Union; Ahmed Imtiaz Saikat, office secretary of Chhatra Union; and Noman Imtiaz, RU correspondent of the Daily Desh Rupantor.

Supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami, under the banner of Anti-Shahbagh Alliance, attacked the procession, organised by the Democratic Student Alliance, alleged RU Chhatra Union President Rakib Hasan.

"The Democratic Student Alliance called for the torch procession to protest the acquittal of Jamaat leader Azharul, which they believe undermines the 2024 mass uprising. During the march, around 200 Shibir activists launched a sudden attack on our group of 12 to 13 people. We were attacked three times, resulting in injuries to almost all of us, with four suffering serious injuries," he said.

Fuad Ratul, convener of the Socialist Student Front, said, "Almost everyone in our torch procession was injured. Four of our leaders bear visible injury marks. We strongly condemn and protest this attack following the verdict."

However, the Anti-Shahbagh Alliance has rejected the allegation and made a counter-claim that it was the members of the leftist organisations who attacked them during an anti-narcotics rally.

Rakibul Islam, the convener of the Anti-Shahbagh Alliance, said, "Our group had gathered at the Transport Market after marching from the Intellectuals' Square, chanting anti-Shahbagh slogans. Suddenly, the torch procession approached from behind and attacked us.".

 "A court verdict was announced today. We all know who refused to accept that verdict. In 2013, they defied court rulings and established the Shahbagh regime, sowing the seeds of fascism. In 2024, we had to overcome that through student sacrifices," he also said.

"Shahbaghis have always served the mandate of Hasina and India. Today, we gathered at the Transport Square from the Intellectuals' Square and chanted anti-Shahbagh slogans. In response, they provoked our students by throwing stones," he added.

Meanwhile, Shibir claimed that some of their activists were injured in the attack, although their identities remain unknown.

Mozahed Faisal, secretary of the Islami Chhatra Shibir's university unit, said, "This was not an official programme of Chhatra Shibir. It was organised by the Anti-Shahbagh Alliance. As it was an alliance programme, leaders of various political and social organisations took part, including Shibir activists.

"Today's programme was against the fascist and culture of impunity created by Hasina and the role they played in 2013."

RU Proctor Professor Mahbubur Rahman said, "The university's proctorial body visited the scene and tried to calm both sides. The student adviser also worked on resolving the situation. Both sides have accused each other of attacks. We are monitoring the situation and will take necessary action."

According to sources, the clashes took place in two phases—first at the university's transport market around 8:15pm, and later at Paris Road around 8:30pm.

The leftist organisation's procession was initially scheduled for 7:30pm, but did not take place at that time.

Meanwhile, the Anti-Shahbagh Alliance members brought out a procession from the university's Intellectuals' Square around 7:30pm. The procession moved through different campus roads and ended with a brief rally at the transport market's Amtala area.

Around 8:10pm, leaders and activists of the Democratic Student Alliance began their delayed torch procession.

At one point, members of the Anti-Shahbagh Alliance, including Shibir activists, charged towards them, leading to a confrontation. Shibir activists reportedly began throwing chairs and bricks, during which Desh Rupantor correspondent Noman Imtiaz was injured.

As the leftist organisation's torch procession moved towards the Dr MA Wazed Miah Academic Building, Shibir activists reportedly followed.

Some Shibir members, including the organisation's Publicity and Publication Secretary Nawsajjaman, attempted to stop their own activists from advancing. However, once the torch procession reached Paris Road, Shibir activists once again tried to block them.

A verbal altercation ensued, during which leftist leader Nasim Sarkar was pushed and fell onto the road, escalating tensions further and leading to scuffles.

Later at night, RU Chhatra Dal held a rally in protest of the reported attack on the leaders and activists of the leftist student organisations and demanded a safe campus.

Chhatra Dal leaders and activists started the march by gathering on the road in front of the university's 'Jamal Nazrul Bhaban' at around 10:10pm. The march circled several roads on the campus and ended in front of the administration building.

At that time, Chhatra Dal leaders and activists chanted slogans such as "This campus will never be Shibir's home", "Safe campus, Chhatra Dal's commitment", etc.

Leaders and activists of the Democratic Student Alliance also held protest programmes later at night demanding the resignation of the proctor over the alleged attack. 

Earlier this morning, the Supreme Court acquitted Jamaat leader ATM Azharul Islam, who was sentenced to death, in a case filed over crimes against humanity committed during the 1971 Liberation War.

Following his arrest from his Moghbazar house on 22 August 2012, Azharul faced nine charges of crimes against humanity.

According to the chargesheet, he was "responsible" for killing 1,256 people, abducting 17, and raping 13 women in Rangpur region during the Liberation War.

Besides, he was said to have tortured civilians, set fire to hundreds of houses and committed other atrocities.

Azharul was indicted with six counts of crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War in the Rangpur region, including genocide, murder, abduction, rape, detention, torture, grievous injury, looting, and arson.

On 30 December 2014, the then International Crimes Tribunal sentenced Azharul, who was Jamaat's assistant secretary general at the time, to death on charges two, three, and four.

Additionally, he was sentenced to 25 years in prison for abduction, torture, rape, and other inhumane acts under charge five, and to five years for torture under charge six.

The Appellate Division, in its observations on the verdict, stated that the previous ruling sentencing the Jamaat-e-Islami leader to death was a clear example of injustice disguised as justice in the history of the world. 

The court also observed that the criminal justice system in the Indian subcontinent, including Bangladesh, was fundamentally altered, and this was a grave error. Furthermore, the death sentence handed down to Azharul was done so without any proper assessment of the evidence presented.

The evidence presented was not properly assessed by the previous Appellate Division, which led to an unjust verdict, and as a result, the current bench found Azharul Islam not guilty and fully acquitted him, said the court.