A reception programme organised for students at the JAKSU library has sparked controversy after several Hindu students alleged that they were served beef during the event.
The programme was organised on the initiative of Riyasal Rakib, the JAKSU library secretary and a leader of the Bangladesh Chhatra Dal. Several students expressed anger and concern over the incident, saying that they were not properly informed about the contents of the food before it was served.
According to the students, some Hindu participants specifically asked the organisers whether the food contained beef. However, they said the organisers did not provide a clear answer to their questions.
The students said they only became aware that beef was included in the meal after it had been served. They described the incident as deeply upsetting and said that greater sensitivity should have been shown towards students from different religious backgrounds when arranging food for a university event.
One of the students said that asking about the ingredients of the food was a reasonable request, particularly when the event involved students from different religious communities. The student expressed frustration that the organisers allegedly failed to give a direct response despite being asked beforehand.
Several students have since voiced their concerns over the incident and called for greater transparency and respect for religious sensitivities in university programmes.
The incident has also prompted discussions among students about the responsibility of event organisers to clearly disclose the ingredients of food, particularly at events attended by students from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds.
The allegations have not been independently verified. The organisers’ response to the students’ claims was not available in the information provided.
Students have called for an explanation from the organisers and urged university authorities to look into the matter.
