In the midst of torrential monsoon rains and the high-stakes pressure of the HSC examinations, a new and unlikely movement has emerged on the digital landscape of Bangladesh, the “Broiler Chicken Party.”
What began as a leaked ministerial remark has transformed into a viral symbol of student defiance, turning a perceived insult into a rallying cry for thousands.
The catalyst for this sudden mobilisation was a video of a phone conversation involving Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon, which surfaced on social media on Monday night.
The recording captured a WhatsApp call from the parent of a student at Dhaka City College, who had reached out to discuss the hardships examinees faced due to severe waterlogging and heavy rainfall.
It was during this exchange that the minister, while commenting on the physical resilience of the students, allegedly said, “These are broiler chickens. They get a fever as soon as they get a little wet in the rain.”
The fallout was immediate. By Tuesday morning, the term broiler chicken had become the focal point of widespread outrage. From Science Lab and Shahbagh to Uttara, students took to the streets, blocking roads and chanting a rhythmic new slogan, “Who am I? Who are you? broiler chicken!”.
The demand for Milon’s resignation quickly spread beyond the capital, with protest rallies reported in Chittagong, Rangpur, Rajshahi, and Barisal.
In the leaked recording, Milon defended the decision to proceed with the exams, claiming he had personally favoured a suspension. However, he said after consultations with district commissioners, education board, and other stakeholders, the decision was made to maintain the schedule.
He added that stakeholders had been consulted during the initial drafting of the exam routine to accommodate convenience of the examinees.
Despite these explanations, the “broiler chicken” label has taken on a life of its own through the “Broiler Chicken Party” Facebook group, which appeared online the same night the video went viral. Eschewing a tone of victimhood, the page adopted the defiant bio – “We are not insulted, we are awakened.”
The platform has quickly become a digital hub for the movement, sharing a steady stream of protest updates, satirical content, and videos from across the country. By Tuesday evening, the page had already amassed 100s followers and published 31 posts, with its profile picture alone being shared more than 135 times.
What started as a ministerial critique of student stamina has now become the banner for a national student protest.
