Gonotantrik Chhatra Jote held a protest march at Dhaka University (DU) on Tuesday evening to condemn a police assault on Naim Uddin, a student of the university’s Anthropology department.
The demonstration commenced at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC), proceeding through the VC Chattar and Hall Para, before concluding with a rally at the base of the Raju Memorial Sculpture.
During the march, protesters were heard chanting slogans such as “Why the attack on Naim? The administration must answer” and “Students are being beaten on campus, what is DUCSU doing?”
At the rally following the march, the alliance demanded the immediate removal of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Masud of the Ramna Division, alongside exemplary punishment and a trial for the police officers involved in the incident.
Addressing the gathering, the victim, Naim Uddin, stated that the “reckless and anti-people mentality” of the police was revealed even before any crime had been proven.
He argued that if the police maintain such an aggressive stance against a university student, it highlights the extent of class discrimination and state-sponsored hatred faced by the public, including rickshaw pullers, day labourers, and garment workers.
Nujia Hasin Rasha, the convener of the DU branch of Biplobi Chhatra Maitree, expressed solidarity at the event, asserting that there is no distinction between the characters of the Awami League, the Interim government, and the “newly elected BNP government.”
She remarked that while the public repeatedly overthrows rulers through uprisings, the ruling classes continue to usurp those struggles.
Rasha further criticised certain student figures, specifically naming Sarbamitra Chakma and others, alleging they had taken up sticks and began violating the human rights of citizens. She questioned their failure to support Naim or demand DC Masud’s removal, accusing them of remaining “engrossed in sycophancy.”
Rafiquzzaman Farid, general secretary of the Samajtantrik Chhatra Front, added that although police uniforms have changed, their character remains the same. He claimed that while Hasina has fled the country, the “fascist system” remains firmly in place.
