Clash at Delhi University: Student Union's Assembly Committees Spark Unrest
Dhaka University Students Protest against Hall Politics
Recent developments at Dhaka University (DU) have seen a surge of student protests against the reinstatement of student politics in residential halls, particularly the announcement of hall committees by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), the student wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
The protests began on August 9, with students from multiple halls breaking open gates to join demonstrations. At midnight, a protest erupted at Dhaka University, with students from various halls, including Zahurul Huq Hall, Kabi Jashimuddin Hall, Ziaur Rahman Hall, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall, Mohsin Hall, Bijoy '71 Hall, and AF Rahman Hall, leading the charge.
The demonstrations intensified late at night, with students shouting slogans such as "One, two, three, four, hall politics no more." Female students from Rokeya Hall, Shamsun Nahar Hall, Sufia Kamal Hall, and Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall broke the lock on their gate to join the protest.
The university authorities, led by the Vice-Chancellor and Proctor, have reaffirmed the ban on hall-based student politics, stating that political activities can only continue at central campus locations such as Madhur’s Canteen, not within dormitories. They plan to engage in discussions with student organizations involved to strictly enforce the rules.
The removal of six Chhatra Dal leaders was due to alleged ties to the Awami League's student wing, Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), and proven allegations of concealing information. The leaders removed are Mosaddek Al Haque Shanto, Rakibul Hasan Sourav, Nitu Rani Saha, Raju Sheikh, Ahmed Jabir Maham, and NS Saimon. The removal took place just 14 hours after announcing new hall committees.
The protest involved students marching from different hall areas and eventually gathering at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC). After the gathering, students marched to the Vice-Chancellor's Residence premises, continuing to chant slogans. No new information about the students joining the protest or the actions taken by the protesters is available at this time.
The wave of protest reflects deep student discontent about reviving politically dominated hall committees, recalling past abuses by the ruling party’s student wing, Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL). The administration’s ban, initially declared after violent clashes in July 2024, was intended to end hall-level political coercion and factional violence. Some opinion pieces suggest that outright banning of hall politics without dialogue may be an inadequate solution, although the consensus among protesting students is against any return to hall-level party politics.
References:
- DU students protest JCD’s announcement of new hall committees
- DU authorities reaffirm ban on hall politics
- Female students lead protests against hall politics
- Opinion: Is banning hall politics the solution?
- The intensifying protests at Dhaka University against the reinstatement of student politics in residential halls, including education and self-development discussions, are fueled by concerns about political interference and past abuses.
- These student-led demonstrations, also involving general news discourse, are calling for the university authorities to maintain the ban on hall-based politics, promoting a peaceful university environment for all students.
