Bangladesh reels from a disturbing video showing Chittagong University students, headed by union secretary Abdullah Al Noman, violently dragging assistant professor Hasan Muhammad Roman Shuvo to the proctor’s office. The neck-grabbing assault during peak admission season has provoked universal disgust and demands for justice.
Detailed analysis of the footage paints a picture of organized thuggery, not rash impulse. As an elected leader, Noman’s role in orchestrating the violence shatters illusions of student representation. His flimsy claim of ‘protective action’ amid a baying crowd fools no one, mocking basic decency and due process.
Shockingly, the administration has issued no statements or sanctions, even as evidence proliferates online. This inertia invites scrutiny: Were security lapses deliberate? Does student clout paralyze officials? Ongoing inquiries into the professor exist, but vigilante ‘trials’ have no place in modern universities.
The attack’s shadow looms large, distorting the July revolution’s legacy by co-opting its name for brutality. Educators argue campuses must champion inquiry and fairness, not fistfights. Without immediate repercussions, this could normalize violence, deterring talent and eroding institutional trust.
Public discourse buzzes with calls for reform: Bolster security, depoliticize unions, enforce codes rigorously. For Chittagong University, the stakes are existential—uphold justice to heal divides, or let mob rule fester. This scandal demands not just punishment, but systemic overhaul to safeguard academia’s sanctity.