The Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, a pro-BNP student body, has instructed its grassroots leaders and activists to avoid disorder, remain alert to provocation, and help maintain a peaceful atmosphere on university campuses amid growing tensions with rival student groups.
The directive was issued at an emergency meeting of the BNP’s affiliate organisation at Dhaka University, where leaders from more than 21 public university units joined to discuss current affairs.
Insiders said the central leadership asked campus units not to act emotionally or overreact to political provocation, warning that such conduct could give rivals an opportunity to criticise the organisation and damage its public image.
The meeting was attended by Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib and General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir, among others.
According to leaders present at the meeting, the organisation believes rival student groups are trying to portray Chhatra Dal as a force of disorder at a time when politics on campuses remains sensitive.
The central leaders, therefore, directed university units to act with restraint, avoid unnecessary confrontation, and respond politically instead of physically.
They also advised leaders to counter what they described as the “hidden political agenda” of Islami Chhatra Shibir through organisational discipline, public engagement, and a stronger presence in student-related issues.
A major part of the discussion focused on social media activities. Chhatra Dal leaders said a group was active online to run smear campaigns against the organisation and the BNP. They instructed activists not to respond recklessly to such campaigns and instead highlight the organisation’s positive work on campuses.
Jahangirnagar University Chhatra Dal Convener Jahir Uddin Mohammad Babor said, “We have been instructed not to fall into any kind of provocation.”
He alleged that Shibir was carrying out online propaganda against Chhatra Dal.
“In response, we will highlight our positive activities,” he added.
Leaders at the meeting said Chhatra Dal’s activists must remain careful in their language, conduct, and public behaviour. They were told that any erratic action by a local unit could be used by political opponents to question the organisation’s role in campus politics.
The central leaders also asked university units to stay connected with general students and focus on issues such as accommodation, academic environment, student safety, and democratic rights on campus.
A Chhatra Dal leader who attended the meeting said the organisation did not want to return to the old style of confrontational student politics.
“Our instruction is clear. We should not create any situation that harms the academic atmosphere. At the same time, we cannot allow any group to create instability in the name of student politics,” he said.
The meeting came at a time when political activities on public university campuses have been drawing renewed attention. Student organisations have become more active in recent months, while incidents of confrontation and allegations of intimidation have raised concern among students and university authorities.
Chhatra Dal leaders said their activists had been asked to remain present on campuses but avoid any move that could be interpreted as aggressive.
They said the organisation would continue political and organisational activities, but those activities must be carried out in a disciplined manner.
The leaders also discussed ways to strengthen coordination among university units so that any incident on campus could be reported quickly to the central leadership.
At the meeting, the central leadership reminded activists that the organisation’s image would depend on how they behave in the coming days. They said Chhatra Dal should not give any rival group a chance to exploit minor incidents for political gains.
Several university leaders said they were asked to remain vigilant but not provocative. They were also told to document incidents, communicate with the central committee, and avoid spreading unverified information on social media.
The central leaders said political rivalry should be handled through argument, organisation, and student-oriented programmes, not through disorder.
