Students have taken control of Dr. Muhammad Sahidullah Hall, Amar Ekushey Hall, and Fazlul Haque Muslim Hall at Dhaka University following violent clashes with the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL). The unrest began on the afternoon of July 15, amid ongoing quota reform protests.
The violence erupted early on July 15 when BCL members armed with rods and sticks attacked students supporting the quota reform movement. The situation escalated when BCL activists again attacked reform supporters at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, prompting students from the three halls to retaliate and chase away the BCL members.
Attack on students: Quota protesters block Khulna-Jashore Highway
In a series of confrontations, students from the Science Faculty halls vandalized the rooms of BCL leaders and removed them from the halls. BCL activists repeatedly attempted to retake control of the Science Faculty halls, with clashes continuing until 2 am on July 16.
The conflict intensified when two resident students of Kabi Jashimuddin Hall, identifying as BCL members, arrived on a motorcycle to observe the situation. One of them, Hedayetul Islam, a Mass Communication and Journalism student, was beaten by students from Amar Ekushey Hall, who also vandalized his bike.
Quota protests: Private university students block major roads in Dhaka
Later, a group of 20 to 35 BCL activists arrived at Amar Ekushey Hall on motorcycles. The students captured and vandalized eight of their bikes in a renewed clash. Reports emerged that BCL leaders from the Arts, Social Science, and Business faculties were checking students’ mobile phones, targeting and beating those who supported the quota reform movement.
Mass Exodus as Fear Grips DU Campus
The violent confrontations have created an atmosphere of fear on campus, leading many students to flee the halls with their belongings late at night and early this morning. A student from Bijoy Ekattor Hall, speaking on condition of anonymity, shared his reasons for leaving: “If I stay at the hall, I will have to attend programs with those who attacked me and my fellow students. I attended BCL programs for the last two years. If I cooperate with them now, I will never forgive myself. It's better to leave.”
University Administration's Silence
Despite the ongoing violence, university authorities and teachers have remained conspicuously silent. Students reported that no administrative officials visited the hospital to see the injured students or issued any statements regarding the attacks. However, some individual teachers have expressed their concerns on social media.
Quota reform protests: Students block several points of Dhaka-Barishal Highway
Video footage showed BCL activists throwing stones at the Science Faculty halls, even as police were present. As late as 3 am on July 16, BCL activists were seen roaming near the Raju Sculpture, armed with rods, sticks, steel pipes, and hockey sticks, chanting slogans.
Emergency Meeting Called
In response to the crisis, an emergency provost standing committee meeting was convened at the residence of Vice-Chancellor Prof. AKM Maksud Kamal. The committee decided that all provosts and house tutors would stay in the halls overnight to ensure students' safety and prevent any non-students from entering the premises.