Dhaka University’s public relations office has drawn criticism after a weekly activities statement described a Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal programme as an action of the university administration. The statement, edited by public relations director Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, was published on Thursday and later emailed to students. Its 26th point referred to Dhaka South City Corporation administrator Abdus Salam handing over a fogger machine to the provost of Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall.

The handover took place at 4pm on 28 July at an event organised with the cooperation of the Dhaka University unit of Chhatra Dal. Abdus Salam delivered two mosquito-control fogger machines to the authorities of Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall and Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall. Chhatra Dal leaders cited waterlogging, increased mosquito infestation and the seasonal risk of dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases.

Rafiqul Islam said the programme was included because it benefited students, adding that the office would be more careful if criticism concerned naming Chhatra Dal. DUCSU vice-president Sadiq Kayem said including a political student organisation’s programme in the administration’s regular statement raised questions about professionalism and represented clear bias.