Three students of Aliah University have alleged that they were verbally abused and physically assaulted on a public road in central Kolkata, with the attackers allegedly calling them “militants” and “jihadis” because of their Muslim identity. The incident reportedly took place on Thursday afternoon, September 24, when the students were returning home after attending classes at the university’s Taltala campus.
The students—Ashik Billa, Hasanur Zaman and Muazzim Hossain, all fifth-year students of the university’s theology department—were reportedly walking towards Sealdah station when two men allegedly stopped them near a lane adjoining GD Hospital. According to the students, the two men, described as being around 40 years old, allegedly began hurling communal abuses at them and repeatedly referred to them as “militants” and “jihadis”. The students said they objected to the remarks, following which the confrontation allegedly turned physical.
Muazzim Hossain told the media that the three students were slapped and beaten during the incident. “We were slapped and beaten. Our clothes were torn. Hasanur was hit on the cheek and started bleeding,” he said. Students claimed, they had been travelling towards Sealdah through Wellington crossing when the alleged confrontation occurred. They claimed that the attackers continued to verbally abuse them after they objected to the remarks.
Following the incident, the students informed their classmates and subsequently approached Taltala police station, where a written complaint was lodged. A police officer confirmed that a complaint had been received and said an investigation was underway. Police also indicated that appropriate action would be taken based on the findings of the investigation.
The incident has reportedly caused concern among students at the university, with several students demanding strict action against those responsible. The Aliah University unit of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) alleged that the three students had been targeted because of their religious identity and demanded the arrest and punishment of the accused. The students’ body said such incidents create an atmosphere of fear among members of the university community and called for effective action to ensure the safety of students travelling to and from the campus.
