In face of protests, photos of convicted war criminals were removed from an exhibition organised by Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir on Dhaka University campus on Tuesday,
The protests were staged calling the display "an affront to the spirit of the Liberation War”.
The university's proctorial team, led by Assistant Proctor Associate Professor Rafiqul Islam, took down the images and took them to the proctor's office.
The action came after members of the Democratic Student Alliance, a coalition of left-leaning student organisations, and a group of general students protested upon seeing the photographs at the exhibition, which was being held in observance of the July Uprising anniversary.
Protesters shouted slogans such as "Amar Mati Amar Ma, Razakarer Hobe Na," "Ekattorer Bangla-e Razakarer Sthaan Nai," and "Shoirachar Aar Razakar, Mile Mishe Ekakar".
Speaking to reporters, Assistant Proctor Rafiqul said, "A group of our students raised objections regarding the exhibition. After speaking to Shibir leaders, we removed the photos with their cooperation."
Mazharul Islam, a leader of Chhatra Shibir at DU, acknowledged the university's request and said, "We organised the programme with the university authorities' permission to celebrate the July anniversary. Now, to maintain overall discipline of the university, the authority requested us to take down the photos. We gave our consent for the sake of discipline."
The incident sparked strong reactions from progressive student bodies.
Organisations including the Bangladesh Student Union, the Democratic Student Council, and the Socialist Student Front condemned what they termed as a "despicable" attempt to rehabilitate anti-Liberation War figures on campus.
They raised four demands in this context: 1. Immediate removal of all photos of convicted war criminals and cancellation of the event. 2. A public apology from Chhatra Shibir for displaying the photos. 3. A formal assurance from the university administration that such activities will not be allowed in future. 4. A public explanation and apology from the university for allowing the exhibition to proceed.
Umama Fatema, former spokesperson of Students Against Discrimination (SAD), said, "Shibir is trying to assert that it has the space to promote anti-independence figures at TSC, and if questioned, they portray themselves as victims. This is the narrative they are attempting to establish."
"The university administration must be clear about their stance. If any activity on this campus dishonours the Liberation War, students will not accept it," she added.