Screenshot Scandal Sparks Student Storm at Rajshahi University
The Rajshahi University unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (RU Chhatra Dal) is facing intense criticism after a leaked conversation revealed a purported plan to physically assault members of the so-called "Bot Bahini" (Bot Force). In response, Chhatra Dal activists claimed the screenshots were edited and denied any official link to the conversation. Both the unit convener Rahi and central secretary Nasir said they were unaware of the matter.
The viral screenshots, which surfaced on social media on Monday, May 5, allegedly expose phone numbers and group messages from a WhatsApp group named "RU Chhatra Dal." In the messages, users identified as Md. Tushar Sheikh (a committee member), Ahsan Habib (joint convener), and former activist Hasibul Islam Hasib are seen discussing plans to target students they associate with the “Bot Bahini.”
One message attributed to Tushar Sheikh reads: “Let’s identify the Bot Bahini boys on campus tomorrow. Not a single one will be spared. Whether inside or outside campus, they must be beaten wherever they are found.” Another message from Ahsan Habib says: “Those who intentionally approve defamatory and false posts against the organization or individuals can also be sued without verification.”
Hasibul Islam reportedly wrote: “Come to campus tomorrow. Identify these Bot Bahini guys. None of them will be spared. They won’t get to leave the campus. We’ll catch them one by one and tear them apart.” In another message, Tushar appears to justify violence: “Laying hands on someone may be wrong, but these people can’t be fixed without a beating. Only then will things fall into place.”
Student activists and observers have flagged the incident as a threat to student safety, prompting calls for a fact-check of the viral screenshot in the public interest. Some screenshots show that most of the messages have since been deleted.
In an official statement, RU Chhatra Dal denied the existence of any authorized group under their banner, stating: “We want to make it clear that Rajshahi University Chhatra Dal has no official group. We urge all media professionals not to be swayed by the misleading and false propaganda of the Bot Bahini.”
The statement also warned party members against spreading disinformation, stating that “anyone acting outside party directives will face disciplinary action.” The group further clarified that “being added to a group as admin does not equate to organizational responsibility, especially in informal or unofficial platforms.”
Responding to media queries, Joint Convener Ahsan Habib acknowledged discussing legal action in a group conversation but claimed that “many group members are not affiliated with Chhatra Dal, and misleading posts from fake IDs are often approved.”
Activist Hasibul Hasan also dismissed the authenticity of the screenshot, stating: “The messages were edited. The group named ‘RU Chhatra Dal’ has no ties to the organization. Our fellow students are like our siblings—we never threatened anyone. The term ‘Bot Bahini’ refers to those who spread rumors on campus.”
Convener Sultan Ahmed Rahi said: “I saw a screenshot in the university’s family group and asked around. Those named have denied any involvement. We have over 12 WhatsApp groups, many of which are faculty- or department-specific. Not all are monitored, and many are muted due to irrelevant content.”
However, a source investigating the group found that among the listed administrators of the WhatsApp group “RU Chhatra Dal” are General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir, Convener Sultan Ahmed Rahi, Joint Conveners M.A. Taher, Mahmudul Hasan Mithu, Sardar Zahirul, Sardar Rashed, and member Nafiwl Islam Jibon. Despite this, both Rahi and Nasir have publicly denied any knowledge of the controversial group.
