A chaotic situation erupted on Dhaka University campus when a group of students launched protests at early hours of Saturday protesting announcement of new committees of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), the student wing of the BNP, of all residential halls.
The protesting students took to the streets opposing the announcement of committees despite the university's ban on all forms of political activities.
Several hundred students from various halls joined the demonstrations, chanting slogans such as "One, two, three, four, hall politics no more."
Protesters marched from different residential halls and eventually gathered at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC), shouting slogans against hall-based student politics.
They also took positing in front of the official residence of the DV Vice-Chancellor.
Students from Zahurul Huq Hall, Kabi Jashimuddin hall, Ziaur Rahman Hall, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall, Mohsin Hall, Bijoy '71 Hall, and AF Rahman Hall were among the participants.
Female students from Rokeya Hall broke the lock on their gate to join the protest.
After a brief gathering at the Raju Memorial Sculpture at TSC, students gathered at the Vice-Chancellor's residence, chanting slogans.
Earlier on Friday, students of Rokeya Hall submitted a memorandum to the hall provost, demanding the hall be freed from all forms of student politics, as well as the practices of "gonoroom" (mass rooms) and "guest rooms." Reports also emerged that students at AF Rahman Hall submitted a memorandum to their provost, calling for a ban on student politics in the hall.
JCD announced committees for 18 residential halls at DU on Friday.
According to a press release, a total of 593 students were given positions across the hall committees.
Earlier, on 19 September 2024, the DU administration suspended all forms of political activities by students, teachers, officers, and employees on campus until further notice.
Just 14 hours after announcing new hall committees at DU, Chhatra Dal relieved six leaders of their posts over alleged ties to Awami League's student wing, Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL).
According to a press release issued at 1am today, the action was taken after allegations of concealing information were proven. The statement said Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib and General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir approved the decision.
Leaders removed from their organisational posts are: Shahidullah Hall convenor Mosaddek Al Haque Shanto and senior joint convenor Rakibul Hasan Sourav, Shamsunnahar Hall senior joint convenor Nitu Rani Saha, Ziaur Rahman Hall joint convenor Raju Sheikh, and Mohsin Hall members Ahmed Jabir Maham and NS Saimon.
