A group of activists of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League brought out a flash procession at Dhaka University (DU) on Sunday, demanding the release of political detainees and justice for alleged police killings.
This marks the group’s first public demonstration in the area since the mass uprising in July 2024.
The flash procession took place on the second day of Eid-ul-Fitr, with around 10-15 members participating.
Witnesses reported the demonstrators shouting slogans such as “Joy Bangla” and “Sheikh Hasina will return” before briefly stopping at the base of the Raju sculpture at the TSC and dispersing within minutes.
Photos and videos of the event later circulated widely on social media, including the official Facebook page of the Awami League.
Dhaka University Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed confirmed the incident, stating, “Between 6am and 6:30am, about 10-15 individuals near the Metro Station, stayed for roughly a minute near the Raju sculpture, and then dispersed.”
He added that a special police unit is investigating the matter. “We have not yet identified anyone familiar in the video, but efforts are ongoing to determine if any university staff or their children were involved,” he said.
Separately, a delegation of the Jatiya Chhatra Shakti visited Shahbagh Police Station on Sunday evening to raise concerns over the “continued activities of BCL” and alleged police inaction.
After the meeting, the organisation’s president, Zahid Ahsan, told media that the procession took place while most university students were away celebrating Eid with their families. He criticised authorities for not taking immediate action, despite eight to nine hours passing since the incident, adding that police have identified a few participants and would provide an update within 24 hours.
The BCL’s verified Facebook page uploaded a video of the demonstration with the caption, “Protest rally demanding the release of political prisoners, justice for police killings, and the lifting of the unlawful ban on Bangladesh Chhatra League.”
