Three students injured in clash between two departments over badminton court at Rajshahi University

Students of the Anthropology and International Relations departments at Rajshahi University have clashed over building a badminton court. Three students from the two departments were injured.

The incident took place in front of the university's Syed Ismail Hossain Siraji Building at around 7:30pm on Thursday (5 November).

The injured students are Tanvir Hossain of the International Relations department, from the 2022-23 session, and Md Ali Chowdhury Abid and Shawon of the Anthropology department, from the 2024-25 session.

Eyewitnesses said the dispute began over building a badminton court in front of the building. Both sides claimed the same spot for a court earlier. When a fresh attempt was made to build a court, an argument started between the two sides, which at one stage turned into a clash.

Injured International Relations student Tanvir Hossain alleged that students of the other department attacked them as a group. He was hit with a bamboo pole of the badminton court, injuring him below the nose and eye and causing bleeding from the nose.

Tanvir claimed they had built a court at that spot a few days earlier, and that there was no visible proof of the other side's claim to the spot.

Anthropology student Abidul Islam, on the other hand, said they had marked the place earlier by planting bamboo poles for their court. More bamboo was later planted there for an alumni event of the Political Science department. After the event, their marked bamboo was also removed. They objected when the other side then tried to build a court at that place.

The university's student adviser, Professor AHM Khurshid Alam, said three students were injured in the clash. One was injured in the nose, one suffered a minor wound to the head and another hurt a hand. The injured were given primary treatment at the university medical centre.

Assistant proctor Swapnil Rahman said officials of the university administration sat in discussion with teachers of the International Relations and Anthropology departments to calm the situation. The incident has not yet been finally settled. Alongside bringing the situation under control through discussion, action will be taken against those responsible for the incident.