United News of Bangladesh

A group of students staged a protest, including the burning of an effigy, against what they described as “defamatory” remarks and false allegations made by a Jamaat leader targeting Dhaka University and its female students. The protest was held on Sunday at around 7 pm in front of the Raju Sculpture on the  Quniversity campus. DUCSU Rarch Secretary Sanjida Ahmed Tonni, member Hema Chakma, leaders of various hall student unions, and leaders from Chhatra Dal, Chhatra Shakti, Socialist Students’ Front, and Revolutionary Students’ Unity were present. The protesters demanded that the Jamaat leader withdraw his comments and issue a public apology. Earlier, on Saturday night, during an election campaign, Barguna District Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary Shamim Ahsan reportedly said, “We have seen that after the DUCSU election, DUCSU had become a den of drugs and a brothel, which Islami Chhatra Shibir has been able to change. Therefore, Jamaat-e-Islami is capable of eradicating all forms of injustice, extortion, and corruption from Bangladesh.” Victory Day observed at Dhaka University through numerous programs In protest against these remarks, students chanted slogans, burned an effigy and later went to the university’s Proctor’s Office to demand justice. DUCSU member Hema Chakma questioned how a political leader could make such comments so openly at an election rally. “Is this what we still have to witness in 2026?” she said. “We, as women, are now sufficiently aware of our rights, our economic freedom, and our social liberation. We are those women who want to raise their voices, especially those who have come to Dhaka University from remote areas.” She added, “If I myself had not been admitted here, I might not have been able to stand here and speak today. If DUCSU, which represents all of us, is labeled as a hub of drugs and a brothel, is this the kind of Bangladesh we want? Absolutely not.” Hema Chakma also alleged that female students at Dhaka University face various forms of harassment. “Women are restricted from going to the Mol Chattar area after 10 pm. Administrative barriers are imposed. Entry to the Central Field is restricted after 5 pm, and various allegations are made. Even after showing ID cards, students are harassed. Our position has always been against such harassment,” she said. Another student leader, Monowar Hossain Pranto, said, “The organization Jamaat-e-Islami, which carried out killings, oppression, and devastation against our mothers and sisters in 1971 and tried to crush our aspiration for independence, is an anti-liberation force. We do not expect anything better from them. They were our enemies in 1971, and they continue to be our enemies in 2024 and 2025.” Dhaka University observes Martyred Intellectuals Day with due solemnity Meanwhile, the university administration has also strongly condemned the statement. In an official press release, Dhaka University authorities said they had drawn attention to the remarks made by Barguna District Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Md. Shamim Ahsan regarding the DUCSU building. “The university administration strongly condemns and protests this obscene, vulgar, indecent, and reckless statement. Such remarks have severely damaged the dignity, reputation, tradition, and honor of Dhaka University. The university authorities are calling for the immediate withdrawal of the statement and urge everyone to refrain from making such irresponsible comments,” the statement added.

The Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sansad (BAGCHAS) held a rally at Dhaka University on Thursday afternoon to express solidarity with the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was mostly intercepted by Israel. Titled ‘Sumud: Steadfast,’ the program emphasized Palestinians’ right to self-determination. A procession, which started from the Raju Sculpture at the University of Dhaka and concluded at Projonmo Chattar in Shahbagh, preceded the rally. Protests erupt in major cities after interception of Global Sumud Flotilla

Students, mostly female ones, rocked their campuses with their overnight protests at different public universities, including Dhaka University, demanding immediate justice for recent incidents of rape and sexual harassment across Bangladesh. At Dhaka University, students from Kabi Sufia Kamal Hall gathered at the base of Raju Smrity Bhasjkarjya (Raju Memorial Sculpture) at midnight and started protests chanting various slogans. Students from other dormitories joined the protests and announced the Raju Smrity Bhasjkarjya as the ‘Anti-Rape Platform’ (Dharshan Birodhi Monch) to amplify their voices against rape and violence against women. They demanded the formation of a tribunal to ensure that justice is served without delay. The protests follow the recent harassment of a Dhaka University student allegedly by a Central Library staff member. College student raped in Ctg The protests intensified as the news of a child rape case in Magura triggered nationwide outcry, with the hospital authorities describing the child's condition as "critical." Besides, female students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) in Sylhet staged demonstrations demanding the death penalty for the rapist. Breaking open the gates of dormitories, the students came out of the halls and staged demonstrations for two hours starting at 1am. The students of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) also staged demonstrations on the same demand around 3am. The Jahangirnagar University (JU) students blocked Dhaka-Aricha Highway, demanding toughest punishment of the rapist. Magura rape victim shifted to Dhaka CMH for better treatment They carried out the protest programmes around 2am.    The wave of protests also touched the students of Jagannath University as they took to the streets demanding death penalty of the accused.

Police have dispersed protesters when they tried to march towards the Home Ministry demanding the arrest of those involved in Wednesday’s attack on ethnic minority students. The protesters under the banner of "Aggrieved Student-Public" gathered at Raju Sculpture of Dhaka University on Thursday.   During the rally, the protesters carried banners condemning the attack carried out by a group named “Students for Sovereignty”, and demanding justice for the ethnic minority students.

A four-member probe committee has been formed to investigate the incident in which a hijab was placed on the female figure of the Raju sculpture at Dhaka University. The incident occurred late Sunday night when unidentified individuals draped a hijab over one of the female figures of the iconic Raju sculpture. The act has raised concerns over campus security and the university's response to such actions. Those responsible for the act have not yet been identified. DU-affiliated college students block Nilkhet, Newmarket intersections Upon being informed, University Proctor Saifuddin Ahmad dispatched two assistant proctors—Muhammad Rafiqul Islam and Md. Rabiul Islam—to inspect the site around 1 pm on Monday. Assistant Proctor Muhammad Rafiqul Islam said, "We visited the Raju sculpture and saw that the hijab had already been removed. As of now, we do not know who is responsible for this incident." He assured that the authorities are investigating the matter and will review CCTV footage from the area. "Those involved will be identified through a thorough examination of the CCTV footage," he added. Additionally, he confirmed that a four-member committee has been set up to investigate the incident in detail. "The footage will be sent to relevant agencies for further analysis," he noted.

Police on Monday foiled the bid of  leaders and activists of some left-leaning  student bodies  to lay a siege the Home Ministry to press home their various demands, including abolition of the Digital Security Act.

Four students of Dhaka University (DU) have gone on a hunger strike on the campus to press for a four-point demand, including capital punishment of the rapist of one of their fellows.

Dhaka University (DU) students blocked Shahbagh intersection for two hours on Monday and gave a 24-hr ultimatum to the authorities for arresting those involved in the rape of a female student of the university at Kurmitola on Sunday night.

A second-year student of Dhaka University (DU) was allegedly raped in the city’s Kurmitola area on Sunday night.