The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement (ADSM) and students of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) held a protest rally against what they described as the terrorist attack by Chhatra Dal (a student wing of BNP) on students of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET).

ADSM organized the rally at Dhaka University's Raju Sculpture, while BUET students gathered at their Shaheed Minar on Tuesday evening.

At KUET, a group of Chhatra Dal members distributed leaflets/membership forms on campus, to which students with ADSM started objecting, claiming student politics was banned at KUET following the July uprising. This triggered a clash between the ADSM students and Chhatra Dal activists.

At least 30-40 students were injured in the clashes.

ADSM protest rally

At 7:30 PM, leaders and activists of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement gathered in front of the Raju Sculpture in Dhaka to protest the events at KUET.

Arif Sohel, the secretary of ADSM, said, "It is extremely painful to see brutal oppression and persecution returning. During the Chhatra League era, such attacks were justified, and even now, we see similar attacks being legitimized."

"End the politics of bat and stamps (cricket bats and stumps, which were wielded as weapons). If necessary, we are ready to face another July, just like before," he added.

Around 8:00 PM, they marched around the VC Chattar and returned to the Raju Sculpture, where Hasnat Abdullah addressed the gathering. He stated, "Chhatra League is not just a specific group but an ideology. Anyone can be Chhatra League or Awami League. Our fight is against the oppression of Awami League, Chhatra League, and Jubo League. The revolution will continue from birth to death. We must protect our freedom. No educational institution should become a shelter for terrorists."

Other attendees included Abu Bakr Mojumdar, Abdul Kader, Nusrat Tabassum, and other ADSM leaders.

BUET students' rally

At 6:30 PM, a group of BUET students gathered at the university's Shaheed Minar. They held a protest march through Palashi Mor, Jagannath Hall, the Central Shaheed Minar, and Bakshibazar before returning to BUET’s Shaheed Minar.

Abu Obaida Mayaz and Arafat Sakib from BUET’s 19th batch spoke at the event.

Arafat Sakib said, "As general students of BUET, we strongly condemn and protest the Chhatra Dal attack on KUET students. Reports indicate that Chhatra Dal members were distributing their forms among KUET students yesterday. When general students tried to express their stance against it, Chhatra Dal terrorists carried out a heinous attack."

Abu Obaida Mayaz stated, "We, the general students of BUET, clearly declare that we will not let Bangladesh turn into another chaotic state. Decisions about KUET should be made solely by KUET students, not by any external terrorists. We demand that the perpetrators be brought to justice."

Addressing the KUET administration, he said, "Do not attempt to reinstate student politics on campus against the wishes of general students. Otherwise, the students will take the strictest measures in response."

Chhatra Dal’s counter protest

Meanwhile, Dhaka University’s Chhatra Dal held a protest, claiming that their activists were attacked. They gathered beside Rokeya Hall at 8:30pm.

DU Chhatra Dal President Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahos stated, "According to the central Chhatra Dal’s directive, various organizational teams have been formed, and they have been specifically instructed to maintain a tolerant approach."

He added, "Two days ago, as per the central command, a team peacefully distributed Chhatra Dal forms at KUET. This is our constitutional and international right. To ensure the protection of this right, Chhatra Dal’s central leaders have formed organizational teams that have been instructed to be tolerance in their behavior, conduct, and publicity."

Ganesh further claimed, "Today, a hidden organization staged a protest march against student politics on campus. They suddenly attacked some of our brothers who had filled out Chhatra Dal forms two days ago, without any provocation. Chhatra Dal strongly condemns and protests this attack. Not only did they attack, but they also tried to portray Chhatra Dal as similar to Chhatra League by claiming that we aim to occupy campuses through violence."

He also stated, "After August 5, those who opposed student politics on campus have now opened organizations under different names. The nationalist Chhatra Dal has never followed the ideology of Chhatra League. Since its inception, we have opposed Guestroom-Ghonoroom culture, forceful participation in processions and meetings."

Addressing Chhatra Dal activists, he warned, "The mob created against us was successfully resisted by your awareness, and for that, I congratulate you. However, do not be complacent. The fallen forces of '71 and '90 are conspiring against us. Remain extremely cautious."

"If there are any allegations of forcibly bringing general students into processions or meetings, I will personally take action against you and even file cases if necessary," Ganesh added.

Others who spoke included General Secretary Nahiduzzaman Shipon, Vice President Masum Billah, and several others.