Dhaka University witnessed a protest rally on Monday night as students and activists from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, general students, and Bangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad members condemned the recent attack on the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala, India.
Separate demonstrations were held at the Raju Memorial Sculpture and near the vice-chancellor's office on campus.
At around 10pm, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement organized a rally in front of the Raju Memorial Sculpture. Earlier, they led a procession across the campus, culminating in a gathering at the sculpture with around 200–250 participants.
Statements from student leaders
Arif Sohel, the member secretary of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, addressed the rally, stating: "Today, our sovereignty is under threat. The people of Bangladesh are endangered by the imperialist and flawed perspective of the Indian government. However, we are not disheartened."
He criticized attempts to portray the struggle as a religious conflict, stating: "Certain ideologues are trying to frame this as a religious issue to justify their dream of ‘Akhand Bharat,’ a mythical concept that never existed in history. We are united in opposing all forms of imperialism, inspired by the struggles of our ancestors."
Highlighting that the people of Bangladesh have no enmity with the Indian citizens, he added: "The people of Bangladesh are peace-loving. But if your government continues imposing imperialistic policies, if our brothers like Abrar are killed, and if our sisters like Felani hang lifeless on border fences, the people of Bangladesh will have no choice but to turn this struggle into an international movement. Don’t force us into this."
Sohel urged the Indian populace to hold their government accountable.
He also warned: "Maldives is not with you, Sri Lanka is not with you, and even Nepal, a predominantly Hindu nation, is not with you. Recognize your government’s mistakes before it’s too late."
Mahin Sarkar, one of the coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, emphasized a unified national identity.
He said: "Everyone living in Bangladesh shares a single identity—that of being Bangladeshi. Using the minority card repeatedly will no longer work. We don’t need India to teach us how to ensure the safety of minorities."
Criticism of Indian govt, policies
Students voiced strong criticism of the Awami League government, accusing it of being subservient to Delhi.
Law student Tariqul Islam said: "We will not allow Sheikh Hasina or the Awami League to return to power. If they do, more Abrars will die, and more youths will take to the streets to oppose Indian aggression."
Tariqul accused India of declaring war on Bangladesh by attacking its Bangladesh Assistant High Commission, stating: "This act signifies a direct declaration of war. Instead of fostering peace, India is eroding the relationship between our nations."
Ashrefa Khatun, another coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, alleged: "The Awami League government has always served as a puppet of Delhi. Years of border killings have passed without our leaders being able to demand justice. But this is a new Bangladesh. As long as one person remains to chant ‘Dhaka, Dhaka’ instead of ‘Delhi, Delhi,’ imperialist dominance will not be allowed."
Chhatra Odhikar Parishad's rally
Earlier, at 8pm, the Bangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad organized a procession from Madhur Canteen to the Raju Sculpture, where they held a rally.
The organization’s president, Bin Yamin Molla, demanded a formal apology from India for the attack.
He said: "If you play with Bangladesh, we will play with the Seven Sisters. The people of Bangladesh are united across all faiths and communities. We fear no one. India must apologize to Bangladesh immediately."
General students’ protest
At 9:30pm, a group of general students marched from the dormitory area, chanting slogans like “Stop Indian Aggression” and “No More Aggression in 2024.”
The protest ended near the vice-chancellor’s office.
Sarbamitra, a Hindu student from Jagannath Hall, said during the rally: "We are all Bangladeshi. No Indian agents or Pakistani agents will be tolerated here. After 16 years of fascist rule, India’s conspiracies are now trying to destabilize us. Regardless of religion, we must unite to thwart such plots."
Bangladesh seeks thorough probe
The Bangladesh government has said it deeply resents the violent demonstration and attack by a large group of protesters of the Hindu Sangarsha Samiti on Monday on the premises of the Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh in Agartala, calling for immediate action and a thorough investigation into the incident.
The foreign ministry in a statement in the evening reminded the Indian government about the Vienna Convention and said it is the responsibility of the host country to protect diplomatic missions.
"As it is the responsibility of the host government to protect the diplomatic missions from any form of intrusion or damage, the government of Bangladesh calls upon the government of India to take immediate action to address this incident, to undertake a thorough investigation into the incident and to prevent any further acts of violence against the diplomatic missions of Bangladesh in India, including the safety and security of the diplomats and the non-diplomatic members of staff and members of their families," the foreign ministry said.
The Indian External Affairs Ministry earlier in a statement termed the attack "deeply regrettable" and said "diplomatic and consular properties should not be targeted under any circumstances."
"Government is taking action to step up security arrangements for the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and their Deputy/Assistant High Commissions in the country," New Delhi said.