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Published : 30 Jul 2025, 12:56 AM
A former coordinator of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement at Rajshahi University has come under fire after seeking donations from multiple organisations to fund a campus event.
The controversy surfaced after a letter requesting financial support -- with a recommendation from RU Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Saleh Hasan Naqib -- was shared widely on social media.
The letter, sent to Rajshahi City Corporation among others, triggered backlash online, with many calling it “an attempt at extortion”.
The ex-coordinator, however, has defended the effort, calling the reaction a “brutal media trial”.
Salahuddin Ammar, a student from the 2021–22 session of the Islamic Studies department, served as RU’s coordinator during last year’s anti-discrimination movement.
He is now leading preparations for the “July 36: Festival of Freedom” concert, scheduled for Aug 5 on campus, to mark the first anniversary of the 2024 Uprising.
As part of preparations for the two-day programme, Ammar sent funding appeals to a number of private companies, banks, and public agencies, including the city corporation.
One of those letters, bearing the VC’s recommendation, went viral on Facebook, drawing sharp criticism.
Some posts on the social media platform claimed that letters were sent to 70 institutions, targeting Tk 7.6 million in donations.
Ammar disputed that figure, saying the target was actually between Tk 6 to 6.5 million, and so far, 21 organisations had been contacted.
He said the university administration had been approached with the proposal beforehand. “They told me they wouldn’t be able to provide financial support but would help in other ways.
“So, with the vice-chancellor’s recommendation, I applied to banks, private firms, and the city corporation.
Asked about the recommendation, Prof Naqib declined to comment, expressing irritation over the matter.
In a Facebook post, he explained his general stance.
“Several student groups and faculties seek assistance for co-curricular and extra-curricular events, and we try to help as much as possible. The administration only distances itself from programmes directly linked to political parties,” he wrote.
He also noted that the university “lacks” sufficient funds for such events and most initiatives depend on sponsorships. “Students often ask for my recommendation in such cases. I don't believe there’s a request where my support was denied.
“I think it’s important for us to back students’ cultural and co-curricular initiatives -- that’s something I’ve done from the start.”
Addressing the current backlash, he said: “This time, I’m facing one question after another from different sources. I still want to support such initiatives, just as I did from the beginning.
“But the environment has become so toxic that next time, I’ll have to think ten times before agreeing.”
Defending the donation drive, Ammar said: “We’re not the only ones who’ve sought assistance from the city corporation. Other departments also do the same for their events.”
“We’re organising a programme and have asked for a donation. In return, we plan to display their logo as a sponsor.
“If this is extortion, then every event funded this way should be called the same,” he added.
