NSU Student Nabbed for Desecrating the Holy Quran
Police from Vatara Police Station have arrested North South University student Apurba Pal for desecrating the Holy Quran. The arrest came after a video of Apurba’s blasphemous act went viral on Facebook Live, prompting late-night protests in front of his residence in Dhaka’s Bashundhara Residential Area by students and locals.
When police attempted to take the accused into custody, the agitated crowd assaulted him. Law enforcement later rescued Apurba and took him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) for treatment. The incident occurred around 2:00 a.m. on Saturday (October 5). Social media has since erupted with demands for a thorough investigation and exemplary punishment for those involved.
Vatara Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Rakibul Hasan confirmed the arrest, saying, “The student has been detained and taken to the hospital for medical attention. Legal procedures are underway.”
On Apurba Pal’s Facebook page, a disturbing video surfaced showing him trampling and kicking a copy of the Holy Quran on the North South University campus while filming himself. The five-part video was shared more than 1,500 times within hours, drawing over 25,000 ‘angry’ reactions from netizens.
Following his arrest, the Private University Student Alliance of Bangladesh (PUSAB) condemned the incident on its official Facebook page and called for swift justice. The post read, “The anti-Bangladesh forces had planned to incite unrest centering Puja celebrations. But their conspiracy was crushed by our unity and harmony. Failing in their attempts, they made a last-ditch effort using a private university as a front. Yet, our private university students, the cradle of the July Movement, showed utmost patience and managed the situation responsibly. The Quran desecrator has already been arrested. Now, the only demand is to identify who else was behind this and ensure swift punishment.”
Similarly, North South University student and former coordinator of the Private University Anti-Discrimination Movement, Nafsin Mehnaz, posted on Facebook along with a photo of Apurba’s arrest, writing, “Update on the Quran desecration incident! Students surrounded Apurba Pal’s residence, and police have arrested him! We strongly demand the highest punishment.”
Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Vice President Sadiq Kayem also demanded exemplary punishment in a Facebook post, stating, “The incident of desecrating the Holy Quran at North South University has deeply hurt us. Bring the accused to justice immediately. At the same time, investigate whether any malicious forces are trying to exploit this to disrupt communal harmony. We urge everyone to remain calm and act wisely. No evil force will be allowed to destabilize our nation, Insha’Allah.”
In a statement, the Bangladesh Democratic Student Council (BDSC) strongly condemned the act and demanded swift justice, calling it not only an act of religious desecration but a deliberate attempt to create social unrest and division. “Therefore, the Bangladesh Democratic Student Council demands that the student be immediately brought to justice and given the maximum legal punishment. Otherwise, public outrage may escalate beyond control, posing a threat to the state. We urge the interim government to ensure a fair and speedy trial while upholding communal harmony and national unity,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, public figure Ibrahim Khalil Shawon raised critical questions on his verified page: “We are glad that Apurba Pal has been arrested, but here are some valid questions. The incident of kicking the Holy Quran occurred at 9 a.m., the video was uploaded at 11 p.m., and the arrest happened around 2 a.m. Had it not gone viral, would the arrest have been made this quickly? When the incident took place at 9 a.m., what did the university authorities do?”
