Dhaka College Tensions Rise After Student Groups Clash

Tensions escalated at Dhaka College on Tuesday after activists of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir were reportedly involved in a chase and counter-chase on the campus, leaving several people injured, according to initial reports.

The incident took place at around 12.30pm on 4 August, creating a tense atmosphere among students and those present on the college premises. The situation remained unsettled for some time following the confrontation. At around 1pm, activists of the college unit of Chhatra Dal reportedly brought out a procession on the campus.

The incident reportedly occurred against the backdrop of preparations for a programme marking the anniversary of the July mass uprising. According to Mohammad Mamun, finance secretary of the Dhaka College unit of Chhatra Shibir, a reception for families of those killed during the uprising and a discussion programme had been arranged at Gallery-2 of the college.

Mamun alleged that Abdul Malek, office secretary of the college unit of Chhatra Shibir, was supervising preparations for the event, with five or six activists working on decorations at the venue.

According to his account, a group of around 20 to 25 Chhatra Dal activists, allegedly led by Parvez Mosharraf, a member of the convening committee of the Dhaka College Chhatra Dal unit, arrived at the venue while preparations were under way. Mamun alleged that the group assaulted Malek and several others.

He further claimed that Malek sustained a serious head injury during the alleged attack and was subsequently taken to Popular Medical College Hospital for treatment. Mamun said that Malek was receiving medical care there.

The confrontation subsequently led to a chase and counter-chase between members of the two student organisations, according to reports. The incident heightened tensions across the campus and disrupted the otherwise normal atmosphere of the educational institution. The procession later brought out by Chhatra Dal activists added to the political tension on the premises.

The allegations made by Mamun could not be independently verified immediately. There was also no immediate statement available from the Chhatra Dal leadership regarding the allegations or its account of how the confrontation began.

The exact number of people injured in the incident and the severity of their injuries were not immediately clear. It also remained uncertain what precisely triggered the confrontation between the two groups.

Dhaka College is one of the country’s longstanding educational institutions, and incidents involving student organisations on its campus can quickly create concern among students and staff. Political confrontations at educational institutions have also frequently raised questions about campus safety and the need to maintain a peaceful environment conducive to academic activities.

Further details about the incident, including the circumstances leading to the clash and the condition of those reportedly injured, are expected to emerge as the two sides provide their respective accounts.