More than 100 people, including journalists, have been injured in two days of clashes between Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and Islami Chhatra Shibir on campuses in Dhaka and elsewhere.
The violent clashes between the student wings of the ruling BNP and the main opposition party in parliament, Jamaat-e-Islami, spread from Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur to Jagannath University, Dhaka College and Dhaka Alia Madrasa, raising fears of further escalation.
The violence has brought campuses back into turmoil on the eve of the second anniversary of the mass uprising, which had raised hopes of a new chapter for politics and academic life.
Following a clash at Dhaka College, Chhatra Dal unit Member Secretary Millad Hossain alleged that a Shibir leader issued a death threat to him over the phone. He later declared Shibir’s campus activities “completely banned”.
At Jagannath University, Chhatra Dal brought in reinforcements from Kabi Nazrul Government College, Shaheed Suhrawardy College and Juba Dal. Shibir responded with an online warning. Its President Nurul Islam Saddam posted: “Let campuses remain peaceful. If they become unrestful, you will not be able to handle it.”
Saddam told TIMES of Bangladesh that the clashes were a “premeditated attempt to revive the old culture of campus occupation”, accusing Chhatra Dal of repeating Chhatra League’s mistakes. Shibir Secretary General Sibgatullah also accused Chhatra Dal of trying to restore politically controlled “guest rooms” and “gana rooms”.
Chhatra Dal rejected the allegations, saying Shibir had started the clashes in Rangpur and brought them to Dhaka.
Clashes over war criminal images
The unrest began after the display of images of convicted 1971 war criminals. At Rajshahi University, an organisation linked to Rucsu General Secretary Salahuddin Ammar erected a billboard titled “Judicial Killing”, featuring Jamaat and BNP figures including Matiur Rahman Nizami. The university administration later removed it following protests.
The issue spread to Begum Rokeya University, where Shibir displayed images of the same figures at a photo exhibition. Protests by Chhatra Dal led to five and a half hours of clashes, leaving at least 15 injured.
The university temporarily banned meetings, outsider entry and vehicle movement, while seeking police action under Section 144 near the main gate. A five-member investigation committee was formed.
Jagannath violence
At Jagannath University, clashes erupted during a documentary screening marking “July Mass Uprising Day-2026”. A dispute over the entry of groups carrying placards demanding healthcare improvements and military oversight for a campus project escalated into violence.
The clashes spread to the Shaheed Minar area and nearby roads. The university medical centre was vandalised, with at least 50 people receiving treatment, while several severely injured victims were sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
JnUCSU Vice-President Mohammad Riazul and Shibir campus President Abdul Alim Arif were among those injured.
Dhaka College, Alia Madrasa clashes
At Dhaka College, at least 15 activists were injured after clashes inside the auditorium. Millad Hossain alleged that 11 Chhatra Dal members were wounded in an attack and played audio of a phone threat allegedly made by a Shibir leader before declaring Shibir’s activities banned.
Hours later, violence broke out at Government Alia Madrasa in Bakshibazar, where Chhatra Dal leaders Sanaullah and Nishar Uddin Rabbi were seriously injured. Rabbi alleged that Shibir activists attacked them with sticks and bricks. Medical staff at Dhaka Medical College Hospital confirmed both suffered serious injuries.
