Kolkata: Three students of Aliah University have alleged that they were assaulted and subjected to communal slurs by two men while travelling from the university’s Taltala campus to Sealdah railway station on September 24.
The students, identified as Md Ashique Billah, Moyajjem Hossain and Hasanur Jaman, are pursuing studies in the Department of Islamic Theology. According to their account, the incident occurred around 2.40 pm when two middle-aged men on a scooter allegedly intercepted them near a hospital.
The students alleged that the men accused them of using abusive language, which they denied. According to Ashique, the confrontation escalated when the men allegedly used communal slurs, including terms such as “jihadi” and “jangi”, referring to the students' appearance.
The students alleged that they were slapped and punched and that their clothes were pulled during the confrontation. Ashique further alleged that one of the men dragged him into a nearby lane, while Moyajjem and Hasanur attempted to intervene.
Student representative Md Motasim Billah, who spoke to the students after the incident, alleged that the three suffered injuries during the assault. He said Hasanur sustained an injury to his mouth and that photographs of the students with torn clothing were subsequently circulated on social media.
The three students later submitted a written complaint to their university, stating that they had been attacked near Taltala Market while returning home.
The students also alleged that some female students had previously faced verbal abuse in the same area, including alleged Islamophobic slurs. These claims have not been independently verified.
The students approached Taltala police station along with other students following the alleged assault. They reportedly sought guidance on filing a complaint and requested that CCTV footage from the area be examined.
According to Motasim, the students later encountered one of the alleged attackers at the police station and claimed that he made threatening gestures towards Ashique. The students further alleged that a local BJP leader warned them that filing an FIR could result in a counter-case.
The students ultimately sought preventive action and increased security in the area rather than pursuing the matter further, citing concerns about potential legal consequences and their financial circumstances.
The allegations made by the students, including claims of assault, communal abuse, threats and police inaction, have not been independently established. Further verification, including examination of CCTV footage and police records, would be required to determine the circumstances of the incident.
