Growing rift between major student organisations over campus politics has escalated following violent clashes at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET).
The discord has drawn reactions from senior political figures, but as of Wednesday (19 February) evening, no attempts at reconciliation had been reported.
Meanwhile, legal expert Asif Nazrul shared a statement on the matter, adding to the discourse.
The confrontation at KUET on Tuesday involved external groups assaulting students, an incident for which the Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chatra Dal (JCD) has blamed the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the Islami Chhatra Shibir.
In retaliation, the latter organisations have accused JCD of orchestrating the violence.
This cycle of accusations, statements, and counter-mobilisations has fuelled panic across campuses, heightening anxiety among students, parents, and faculty members.
Consequently, KUET has suspended academic activities indefinitely.
Should the situation deteriorate further, a renewed ban on student politics across all campuses could be considered.
Images of injured KUET students, drenched in blood, have gone viral on social media, intensifying public outrage.
A particular image of a youth leader from Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal brandishing a machete during the clash has sparked severe criticism, with many viewing it as a resurgence of muscle power in student politics.
Critics argue that such acts of violence, particularly in an era dominated by artificial intelligence and academic excellence, are incongruous with the ethos of student activism.
Following the clashes, JCD squarely placed the blame on the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and Chhatra Shibir, alleging that their leaders orchestrated an attack on JCD activists.
In response, JCD staged protests at Dhaka University and other locations, demanding justice for the incident.
However, chants of “slaughter them” during these demonstrations have drawn widespread scrutiny.
At a press conference, JCD President Rakibul Islam and General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir named Omar Faruq as the alleged instigator of the KUET attack, with Hasnat Abdullah reportedly overseeing the incident.
Rejecting JCD’s claims, Chhatra Shibir President Zahidul Islam dismissed the practice of blame-shifting, arguing that the current generation is too aware to be swayed by such tactics.
He urged JCD to abandon its dominance-driven approach and embrace a more service-oriented and progressive form of student politics.
Meanwhile, Hasnat Abdullah, on behalf of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, warned that if such actions persist, JCD risks facing the same fate as the now-defunct Bangladesh Chhatra League.
The KUET incident has prompted widespread discussion on social media, with many likening the current situation to the volatile campus politics of the 1990s.
Concerns are mounting over the possibility of similar unrest erupting in other universities as different factions vie for political control.
A widely shared social media post by Arafat Osman, later reposted by Asif Nazrul, suggested that if JCD and Chhatra Shibir continue their confrontations, an unprecedented level of casualties in student politics may be witnessed.
Osman further noted that the two organisations' official communications, filled with accusations and threats, paint a grim picture of the future, necessitating immediate intervention by their parent parties.
Amid the controversy, JCD leaders initially dismissed the viral image of a Jubo Dal leader wielding a machete, claiming it to be from 2014.
However, once the image was verified as recent, the individual in question was expelled from the organisation. Meanwhile, JCD has labelled Chhatra Shibir a clandestine group and demanded the public disclosure of its leaders' identities.
This move has sparked calls for a list of Shibir affiliates, leading to concerns over potential attacks on suspected members.
In response, Chhatra Shibir leaders have strongly opposed the legitimisation of physical assaults under the guise of suspicion, arguing that such actions contradict the principles of the July Revolution.
Renewed calls for a ban on student politics
The nature of student politics in Bangladesh’s educational institutions has become a subject of renewed debate following the change of government.
Discussions have emerged regarding the outright prohibition of student politics, the removal of partisan influence, and the restoration of student union elections.
The interim government has also signalled its interest in reinstating student unions in universities, prompting authorities at Dhaka University and other institutions to begin deliberations on the matter.
However, efforts to announce an election roadmap at Jahangirnagar University have been stalled due to resistance from JCD, while the fate of Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) remains uncertain.
During the July uprising, student politics was banned in many residential halls after Bangladesh Chhatra League lost control of Dhaka University.
This restriction, imposed post-5 August, has gradually eroded.
In several institutions, both student and faculty politics were prohibited in a bid to maintain order. However, recent developments have reignited discussions on whether banning student politics entirely is the only viable solution to prevent further turmoil.
