Three journalist organisations at Rajshahi University (RU) announced a boycott of all activities and news coverage of the university unit of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal until those involved in an attack on campus journalists are brought to justice and its president, Sultan Ahmed Rahi, offers an unconditional apology.

The Rajshahi University Journalists’ Association (RUJA), Rajshahi University Press Club and Rajshahi University Reporters’ Unity (RURU) announced the decision in separate statements issued on Wednesday and Thursday.

The organisations expressed anger over Rahi’s description of the incident as a “misunderstanding”, despite clear video footage of the attack, and the lack of effective disciplinary action against those involved.

Four campus journalists were assaulted by Chhatra Dal leaders and activists on October 4 while performing their professional duties in front of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall.

A university investigation committee recommended the temporary suspension of three Chhatra Dal leaders and activists. However, the journalist organisations said two of them were not regular students of the university, leaving Hasibul Islam Hasib as the only regular student against whom the committee recommended temporary suspension.

RUJA said Rahi had neither expressed regret nor acknowledged his mistake over his remarks, even after the investigation committee recommended disciplinary action against those accused. It described his comments as an apparent attempt to shield them from responsibility.

The RU Press Club said the remarks downplayed the seriousness of the attack and could allow those accused to evade accountability. It also expressed concern over repeated threats against journalists on social media by individuals accused in the incident.

The Press Club demanded a fair investigation, exemplary punishment for those responsible and effective measures to ensure journalists’ safety.

The organisations expressed hope that the university administration would form a further investigation committee at its next syndicate meeting and ensure the maximum punishment for those involved.

At least 10 people, including four journalists, were injured in the October 4 attack. The university investigation committee subsequently recommended the temporary suspension of four students and disciplinary action against several others.