On 4 October 2026, at least 10 people, including four student journalists, were injured in an armed attack at Rajshahi University, Bangladesh. Witnesses alleged involvement by leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, the student wing of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Journalists filming armed activists were beaten, an attempt was made to seize a reporter’s phone, and colleagues intervening to protect them received death threats.
The university proctor acknowledged failure to control the situation and said police called to respond had fled in fear. These student correspondents report for national media, providing public scrutiny of campus politics and institutional conduct.
By 6 October, a criminal case had been filed against unidentified suspects, although The Daily Star identified seven people from video footage. Chhatra Dal announced three expulsions and issued show-cause notices to six others. The university withdrew the provost of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall and instructed its investigation committee to report within 72 hours. Protesters suspended their programme until the evening of 8 October, pending action.
Teachers, students and journalists demanded independent investigation and arrests. TI Bangladesh and Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) condemned the attack and called for impartial investigation and accountability.
The attack and threats undermine freedom of expression and media freedom. They risk deterring scrutiny of politically connected actors and weakening civil society’s ability to document abuses. Party disciplinary measures alone cannot ensure accountability; effective criminal investigation and protection of reporters and witnesses remain essential.