Dhaka University Violence: Chhatra Dal and Shibir Clash Over Hall Administration

A violent confrontation erupted between members of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir at Dhaka University’s Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall on Sunday night, amidst escalating demands for the hall provost’s immediate resignation.

The unrest was triggered by allegations from Md Ibrahim, an undergraduate student of the Department of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering (2020–21 session). Taking to social media, Ibrahim alleged that after voicing grievances concerning hall management, he was detained inside the provost’s office, stripped of his mobile phone, and pressured to sign a forced written statement. The provost rejected the allegations when questioned about the incident.

Protesting students subsequently staged a demonstration at around 9:00 pm, locking the provost inside his office. As tension mounted, representatives from the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU)—including Social Welfare Secretary A B Jubayer and Literature and Culture Secretary Musaddiq Ali Ibne Mohammad, alongside Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall Union Vice-President Khondokar Abu Nayeem and General Secretary Imamul Hasan—joined the crowd. Power to the provost’s office was deliberately severed during the blockade.

Around midnight, rival student political groups arrived at the venue from several residential halls, transforming the stand-off into active physical violence. Imamul Hasan, General Secretary of the hall union, was injured during the melee.

Both political groups have subsequently exchanged blame for the violence:

• JCD’s Stance: Tanvir Hadi Al Maed, convenor of the Bijoy Ekattor Hall JCD branch, asserted on social media that Chhatra Shibir mobilized non-resident activists from other halls to orchestrate a mob and instigate violence.

• Chhatra Shibir’s Stance: DUCSU Secretary Musaddiq Ali countered that JCD members launched an unprovoked attack on general students, injuring hall union representatives.

Adding to the confusion, unverified footage surfaced showing Obaidur Rahman Hasib, Amar Ekushey Hall Union General Secretary and Chhatra Shibir leader, entering the premises carrying a sack of shoes before being intercepted by students.

The complainant, Ibrahim, voiced deep dismay that political infighting had hijacked his initial call for administrative accountability, pointing out that both factions had brought in outside crowd support. The university’s proctorial team eventually breached the hall at 3:00 am to escort the blockaded provost to safety. The university administration has not yet announced formal disciplinary or investigative measures regarding the provost’s conduct.