February 19, 2025
DHAKA – The attack on members of Anti-Discrimination Student Movement at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology sparked protests across campuses tonight.
In Dhaka University, the leaders of the student body demanded the immediate arrest of those who attacked their members at Kuet within the next 24 hours. Earlier, they held a protest march on the Dhaka University campus in the evening.
The ultimatum came after a clash broke out between Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal and the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology over the issue of banning student politics. At least 40-45 students were injured in the incident.
Arif Sohel, the convener of the student body, said, “The oppression we fought against has returned. This cruelty reminds me of the time when the people of this country were tortured under various pretexts.
“The students and people who were martyred in the July uprising did not die so that we can witness such oppression on campus. Anyone who tries to engage in criminal activities again will face resistance. We will not compromise with anyone. Some of the defeated fascists from August 5 are trying to rehabilitate themselves. If needed, we will stage another mass uprising like July.”
Dhaka University. PHOTO: THE DAILY STAR
Hasnat Abdullah, convener of the student body, announced that videos of the July mass uprising and today’s attack at Kuet, allegedly carried out by Chhatra Dal, will be displayed at educational institutions across the country tomorrow.
The video exhibition will commence at 3:00pm at DU and will be streamed simultaneously at educational institutions nationwide, he said.
Tariqul Islam, executive member of the student body, demanded justice. “The criminals involved in the attack must be arrested within the next 24 hours”, he added.
Tensions prevailed on the Chittagong University campus as the students and Chhatra Dal came face-to-face over the incident at Kuet.
A section of university students, mostly from Inqilab Manch, and activists of the Chhatra Dal brought out rival processions.
Around 8:30pm, when the university-bound shuttle train from the city arrived at the university rail station, both groups had a face-off, creating a tense situation.
Md Abu Hena Mostafa Kamal, inspector of the Chittagong University police outpost, told The Daily Star, “Inqilab Manch held their procession at the railway station area, while Chhatra Dal marched in the Shaheed Minar area. No untoward incidents occurred. Upon receiving the news, university security personnel and police were deployed.
“To prevent any untoward incidents, police remain on high alert,” he added.
Jahangirnagar University. PHOTO: THE DAILY STAR
At Jahangirnagar University, protesters took out a march from Bot Tola on campus around 8:00pm and moved through several campus roads before concluding at the same location.
Following the march, protesters held a brief rally.
Touhid Mohammad Siam, JU unit’s member secretary of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, said, “While it took 36 days to remove a dictator like Hasina, it won’t take even 36 minutes to oust the BNP and its student wing if they continue their criminal activities.”
Rajshahi University. PHOTO: THE DAILY STAR
In Rajshahi University, students gathered at the Zoha Chottor around 8:45pm and marched through the campus chanting slogans till 9:30pm.
Coordinator Salahuddin Ammar said, “We don’t want student politics which destroy campus environment. Today, Chhatra Dal attacked the Kuet students. It’s similar to Chhatra League activities. We will not tolerate this.”
At Jagannath University, students took out a protest march around 8:30pm from the university’s sculpture square and moved through the Shakharibazar intersection and Victoria Park before concluding on the campus.
During the demonstration, students chanted slogans denouncing the attack and calling for an end to campus violence.
Masud Rana, convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement at JnU, called for immediate reforms in student politics.
[Our Chattogram staff, and RU, JU, and JnU correspondents contributed to this report]