While student organisations aligned with the ruling party have traditionally dominated universities, Chhatra Shibir, affiliated with Jamaat-e-Islami, has increasingly asserted influence across several campuses across the country.
In recent weeks, efforts by the ruling BNP-backed student wing, Chhatra Dal, to mobilise have been met with counter-protests under the banner of “general students,” creating tensions at the campuses.
At a university near Dhaka in Gazipur, clashes between Chhatra Dal and Shibir over the appointment of a new vice-chancellor left several students injured. Similar confrontations have previously occurred at Dhaka University and a government college in Chattogram.
At that time, unease spread among Shibir activists. They reportedly warned that if Chhatra Dal tried to take control of the halls, there would be no room for negotiation.
Meanwhile, at two colleges in Dhaka, protests by ostensibly “neutral” students have emerged in response to renewed Chhatra Dal activity, raising questions about their true affiliations.
Analysts say that following the fall of the Awami League government in a mass uprising on 5 August 2024, control of campuses gradually shifted to groups claiming to represent the “general student” body. These groups campaigned heavily under slogans such as “politics banned on campus” and “politics-free campuses.”
Even after the change of government following the 13th national election, analysts note that these groups have been reluctant to relinquish campus control. Meanwhile, Chhatra Dal, which was under pressure during the tenure of the interim government, is now seeking to reclaim influence.
“Many campuses are often described as politics-free, but in reality, politics remains very much present. Whether through student councils or other channels, there is a clear attempt to assert control over campuses. Those who have held sway in various forms are now being challenged by Chhatra Dal after the elections, creating a degree of unrest,” Professor Mohammad Aynul Islam of Dhaka University’s Department of Political Science told TIMES of Bangladesh.
He added, “Those who have dominated campuses so far are trying to maintain their influence, while supporters of the ruling party are also unlikely to relinquish control easily. As a result, there is a real risk of instability spreading across all educational institutions in the near future.”
Clashes erupt over Duet VC appointment
Student activists from Chhatra Shibir obstructed Professor Mohammad Iqbal from assuming his role as vice-chancellor at Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (Duet) last Thursday, triggering two days of clashes with BNP-backed Chhatra Dal activists and police.
Professor Iqbal, formerly of the Industrial and Production Engineering Department at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology in Sylhet, faced opposition from groups demanding that the university appoint a vice-chancellor from within Duet itself. His critics argue that external appointments undermine the institution, although such practices are not new in Bangladesh.
The vice-chancellor has been unable to operate from the campus. At times he has worked from an abandoned upazila office and at other times from Gazipur Metropolitan Police headquarters.
In contrast, following the mass uprising in 2024, Dhaka University’s students welcomed external vice-chancellor Niaz Ahmed from Chattogram University, promoting him as “highly qualified.”
Critics later accused the vice-chancellor of playing a covert role in establishing Shibir control on the campus.
DU VC faces threats from student leaders
Before the national elections, Chhatra Dal activists attempted to increase their presence on the Dhaka University campus but were largely blocked. Since the elections, they have tried to consolidate their position gradually.
Last month, former teachers’ association leader ABM Obaidul Islam was appointed vice-chancellor. Shibir-backed leaders elected to the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) have since targeted him, publicly warning of possible “mobs attacks”.
Professor M Wahiduzzaman of the Institute of Education and Research told TIMES, “Previous vice-chancellors, proctors, and assistant proctors directly supported campus mobs. Students have assaulted people and even killed on campus. Ducsu leaders have publicly beaten teachers and verbally abused many with obscene language. Is that really the work of ordinary students?”
Another teacher, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “Sometimes Ducsu leaders, sometimes a handful of students under the banner of ‘general students’—a few identified individuals repeatedly orchestrate mobs, spreading fear across campus.”
Proctor Md Israfil Ratan criticised the behaviour and language of Ducsu leaders towards the vice-chancellor, saying, “These issues are correctable. Their sense of conscience needs to be strengthened further.”
Tensions rise at JU, JnU
Chhatra Dal’s experience at Jahangirnagar University during the interim government period was not good, according to the organisation’s JU branch convener, Zahir Uddin Muhammad Babar. He said, “We had to carry out our political activities amid various forms of propaganda and cyberbullying.”
Mustafizur Rahman, president of the university Shibir unit, added, “We went public in October 2024, and since then our organisational activities have accelerated.”
Following the mass uprising, a new student group called the ‘Jatiya Chhatra Shakti’ emerged on campus. Jahangirnagar University branch president Zia Uddin Ayan told TIMES of Bangladesh, “Post-election, tensions have risen in some campuses.”
At Jagannath University, Chhatra Dal and Shibir leaders have traded blame over rising unrest. Shibir branch president Abdul Alim Arif said, “Protests against campus domination, extortion, and tender manipulation disrupt vested interests, creating a tense environment.”
Chhatra Dal convener Mehedi Hasan Himel added, “After 5 August, false information and propaganda circulated through fake accounts and pages, contributing to the situation.”
Ivan Tahsibh, president of the Socialist Student Front’s university branch, warned that ongoing struggles for campus control could gradually escalate into wider conflicts.
Late-night unrest at Eden College
On 10 May, a small group of students staged a late-night protest at Eden College against student politics. Demanding a politics-free campus, they broke the main gate lock and took to the streets.
Another group of students described the incident as “staged,” noting that the college has six residential halls housing at least 10,000 students, yet only a few hundred mobilised the demonstration.
Salma Haque Kochi, the warden of Hasna Begum Hall, told TIMES, “Why they choose to protest at night without submitting their demands during the day is known only to them.”
A former principal of the college, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “Student politics has always existed in educational institutions and will continue. No one can force or prevent students from forming organisations.”
He added, “Over the past two years, the term ‘general students’ has become controversial. It is now up to journalists to investigate the causes of these protests—it is your responsibility as well.”
Unrest at Kuet
Tensions over whether student politics should be allowed at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (Kuet) erupted into clashes between rival student groups on 18 February 2025. The conflict escalated to the point where faculty members were attacked, prompting a boycott of classes and exams.
Following the fall of the Awami League government, Professor Muhammad Masud was appointed vice-chancellor of Kuet in September 2024. His appointment angered a group of students who had previously controlled the campus and referred to him as “BNP-aligned.” At the time, Chhatra Dal activists were also targeted by the so-called “general students,” leading to retaliatory attacks.
Under the interim government’s directives, Professor Masud was asked to step down on 24 April 2025. Class boycotts by faculty continued, resulting in a suspension of academic activities for 160 consecutive days.
Professor Masud rejoined Kuet as vice-chancellor on 24 March after the elected government assumed office. He told TIMES, “One group has concealed its political identity and carried out these actions under the banner of ‘general students.’ However, since the elected government took office, their activities have not been as visible.”
He added that no “covert” student organisation has the right to monopolise campus control under the guise of a politics-free campus.
Additional reporting by Jannatun Naim of Jagannath University and KM Jadid Bin Khalid of Jahangirnagar University.
