Tension is mounting at Chittagong University (CU) after remarks by Jamaat leader and MP candidate for Chattogram-5, Sirajul Islam. Speaking Thursday evening in Jobra village, he claimed, “Chittagong University was built on our ancestral property. We are the landowners, and no one has the right to interfere with us. This university stands on our chest, and if it does not show us respect, we will mobilize the people to take necessary action.”

His comments enraged students, who view the remarks as provocative. Adding fuel to the debate, CU Shibir office secretary Habibullah Khaled said the recent clashes between students and locals stemmed from “misunderstandings,” and blamed “outsiders” for violence.

However, the CU branch of Islami Chhatra Shibir rejected both Sirajul’s comments and Khaled’s explanation, accusing local BNP student leaders of being directly involved in the clashes.