What was initially reported as a stabbing incident involving Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) VP candidate Jalal Ahmed Jalal has now taken a different turn. The alleged victim, Rabiul Haque, has clarified that he was not stabbed, but rather injured by glass shards from a broken fluorescent tube during an altercation inside Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall.
Following the incident late Tuesday night, several media outlets reported that Jalal had stabbed his roommate, sparking outrage and protest among students. However, speaking to reporters, Rabiul corrected the account, saying the injury occurred when Jalal threw a broken fluorescent tube, which shattered on impact and cut his body with the sharp glass.
The incident unfolded around 12:30am after a dispute broke out between the two roommates over noise in the room.
Rabiul claimed Jalal first attempted to strike him with a wooden chair, which he blocked. Jalal then reportedly threw a damaged fluorescent light tube, which broke on contact, and its shards caused the injury.
In response, Jalal posted photos of his own injuries on Facebook and claimed he was attacked first, further complicating the narrative.
In his Facebook post, Jalal wrote, "While preparing to send a legal notice demanding the eviction of illegal and non-residential students from all halls of Dhaka University, I was attacked by my roommate Rabiul at room no 462 of Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall around 12:30 am. He has been staying in the hall illegally for several months."
Rabiul rejected this claim, stating that Jalal might have gotten blood on him from Rabiul's own injuries.
University Proctor Associate Professor Saifuddin Ahmed told the media, "The hall administration has filed a case against Jalal Ahmed with the police. The case will now proceed according to the applicable legal procedures."
When questions were raised regarding Jalal's candidacy for VP following the incident, the proctor said, "That decision will be made by the Election Commission. They will act according to their rules and regulations."
"This isolated incident will not affect the DUCSU election, as it does not appear to be election-related violence," he added.
Claiming that the attack was not a random event, Rabiul said that he and Jalal had longstanding disagreements. He had even submitted several written complaints to the hall authorities in the past.
A student living in the adjacent room reported that Rabiul had submitted a written appeal to the hall provost, stating that he was "in fear for his life."
Meanwhile, after news spread that Rabiul had been taken to the hospital, tension escalated at Mohsin Hall. Hundreds of students gathered outside Jalal's room and tried to break down the door. At that point, Hall Provost Mohammad Sirajul Islam calmed the students and promised that Jalal would be immediately suspended. Students also demanded the resignation of the provost.
Regarding this, the proctor said, "If the students formally present their demands to the Vice-Chancellor in a meeting on Wednesday, appropriate action will be taken."
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