The familiar vibrancy that usually engulfs Dhaka University (DU)—long regarded as the epicentre of the country’s major movements, including the 1971 Liberation War—has been noticeably muted this year, as prolonged residential hall closures, post-earthquake safety measures, and shifting political narratives combine to dampen Victory Month observances on campus.
Every December, the country’s premier public university transforms into a hub of rallies, illuminations, cultural programmes, and political discourse to mark the nation’s victory in the War of Independence. This year, however, students and leaders of student organisations say the celebratory atmosphere is largely absent, leaving the campus unusually subdued during one of its most symbolically charged months.
At the heart of the disruption is the physical absence of students. Following a post-earthquake safety emergency, university authorities suspended classes and examinations in early December and instructed students to vacate residential halls. Under university regulations, halls must remain closed for a mandatory 35-day period, meaning they will not reopen—and regular classes will not resume—until December 28.
The decision has resulted in what many describe as a historically low presence of residential students on campus during Victory Month, limiting both participation and spontaneity in commemorative activities traditionally driven by student bodies.
The logistical vacuum has been further compounded by controversy surrounding the removal of student-created artwork linked to the Liberation War. Earlier this month, DU proctorial team erased images of convicted war criminals Ghulam Azam, Motiur Rahman Nizami, and Abdul Quader Mollah. The portraits had been painted as part of “Tuli’r Achore Droho”—or “defiance through brushstrokes”—an initiative organised by the Jagannath Hall Union to mark Martyred Intellectuals Day.
Jagannath Hall Provost Debashish Pal confirmed to TIMES of Bangladesh that the images were removed following directives from senior university officials, adding that the instruction came from the law and order department. The Jagannath Hall Union subsequently issued a strong condemnation, accusing the administration of undermining student expression and the spirit of historical remembrance.
Beyond campus closures and administrative intervention, broader political shifts have also shaped this year’s observance. Since the July 2024 uprising, interpretations of national history—particularly surrounding the Liberation War—have become increasingly contested.
Sabbir Ahmed, a professor of political science at DU, said recent political developments have altered how Victory Day narratives are understood and articulated on campus.
“Political forces active in the July movement, the anti-discrimination platform, and parties like NCP, Jamaat, and BNP are interpreting Victory Day history differently,” he said. “It is unrealistic to expect the previous regime’s narrative to remain unchanged. A single political lens on the history of 1971 is now being challenged.”
Similar concerns were raised by Mozammel Haque, convener of the Bangladesh Chhatra Front’s DU unit, who argued that Liberation War has long been framed as the exclusive legacy of the Awami League.
“Current power structures are attempting either to obscure the true aspirations of the war or to reframe the 1971 struggle as a foreign conspiracy,” he said.
Students, meanwhile, say the absence of visible, sustained commemorations has diluted the meaning of Victory Month. Farhan Ahmed, a student of the Law Department, said the spirit of December should extend beyond symbolic gestures.
“The memory of Victory Day and Liberation War should not be confined to a single day but reflected throughout the month,” he said. “That continuity is not happening this year.”
Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) DU unit has also criticised the university administration, accusing it of “disgraceful reluctance” in organising celebrations. The group further blamed the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) for what it described as “inertia” and “irresponsible actions.”
University authorities, however, have rejected claims that Victory Month programmes have been neglected. In a statement, DU Public Relations Office said all core commemorative events remain unchanged, including tributes at Rayerbazar on Martyred Intellectuals Day on December 14 and wreath-laying at the National Memorial in Savar on Victory Day, December 16.
The office also disputed assertions that month-long illuminations were a long-standing tradition, saying decorative lighting would be installed on the nights of December 15 and 16, in line with past practice.
DU Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed said the temporary closure of dormitories would not affect scheduled events, noting that the university typically enters winter recess during this period each year.
“As in previous years, all scheduled programmes are taking place this time as well,” he told TIMES.
Ducsu leaders have also defended their role. General Secretary SM Forhad said details of all Victory Month activities were publicly available on the union’s Facebook page.
“Rather than focusing on just one particular day, we are celebrating Victory Month throughout the entire month with various programmes,” he said.
Mosaddek Ali Ibne Mohammad, Ducsu’s literature and culture affairs secretary, went further, claiming this year marked an unprecedented level of activity.
“A review of history shows that in Ducsu’s 55-year history, the highest number of programmes for Victory Day have been undertaken this year,” he said, citing a three-day drama festival held from December 11 to 13, alongside a magazine publication and a quiz competition.
However, DU Treasurer HM Mosarraf Hossain said no separate funding request had been made on behalf of Ducsu for Victory Day celebrations, adding that no specific budgetary allocation information was available.
As the nation celebrates Victory Day, the subdued mood on campus reflects not only logistical challenges but also deeper debates over history, memory, and political ownership—questions that continue to shape how Bangladesh’s past is remembered in its most influential academic space.
