A series of clashes among rival groups at four universities and colleges within 24 hours has raised concerns over campus security, with students fearing for their safety.
The incidents at Dhaka's Jagannath University, Dhaka Alia Madrasa, Dhaka College and Rangpur's Begum Rokeya University where confrontations over different issues escalated into violence -- mostly between the activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir.
The clashes brought all academic activities to a halt.
Speaking to this newspaper, several students said they feared going to campuses as tensions between rival student organisations seemed to by intensifying.
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Jagannath University. Photo: Courtesy
The incidents have also reignited fears regarding whether political violence is returning to educational institutions, ending nearly two years of relative calm on many campuses.
Samia Zaman, a student of history department at Jagannath University, said, "On a small campus like ours, when everyone has come to attend classes or sit for exams, why should students who have absolutely no interest in this dirty politics be exposed to security risks?"
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A journalist injured in Jagannath University clashes. Photo: Courtesy
“Is this what an educational institution is supposed to be like?" she questioned before leaving the university campus as soon as the clashes broke out. She demanded a safe campus for all students.
The latest wave of campus violence began at Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur, marking the first series of major clashes in educational institutions since the fall of Awami League government on August 5.
At least seven people were injured after a dispute over a banner at an exhibition marking July Uprising Day ignited clashes between Shibir and JCD men around 7:30pm yesterday at the university's Swadhinata Smarak (Independence Memorial).
The banner, titled “Judicial Killing”, featured photographs of six Jamaat-e-Islami and BNP leaders convicted of crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War.
At Jagannath University, clashes among activists of JCD, Shibir and Jatiya Chhatra Shakti left at least 70 injured, including student leaders and journalists, before the violence spilled over to nearby National Medical College Hospital in Dhaka.
Those injured included JnUCSU Vice-President Riazul Islam, JnUCSU General Secretary and JnU unit Shibir President Abdul Alim Arif, Jatiya Chhatra Shakti's JnU unit President Shahin Mia, JCD leader Yasin Saif and several journalists.
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Students carry off an injured during the clashes at Dhaka Alia Madrasa. Photo: Mehedi Hasan/Star
At Government Madrasah-e-Alia, widely known as Dhaka Alia Madrasah, several were injured in a clash between JCD and Shibir activists in Bakshibazar this afternoon.
The clash reportedly broke out over control of the institution’s residential halls, before law enforcers brought the situation under control.
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Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur. Photo: Courtesy
Ali Ahsan, an Alim student (HSC equivalent) at the madrasa, said the clashes had left ordinary students worried about their safety and academic activities.
"We, the general students, do not want any violence on our campus. We have come here to study, not to witness clashes between student groups. The recurring violence is creating fear among students and disrupting our classes. We want a peaceful environment where we can continue our studies without worrying about our safety," he said.
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Dhaka College. Photo: Star
Tension also gripped Dhaka College as clashes broke out between JCD and Shibir activists, leaving several people injured.
The incident occurred around 2:00pm on the college campus, according to police and students.
