The agitating students, demanding quota reforms, on Monday announced demonstrations and rallies in all educational institutions of the country, protesting attacks on students by the Chhatra League members in various universities, which led to the injuries of over 220 people in the capital alone, mostly students.
According to Dhaka Medical College Hospital sources, at least 220 people received treatment there.
The programs will begin at 3pm, Nahidul Islam, one of the coordinators of the movement, said at Doyel Chattar around 9:30pm.
“Outsiders attacked us today in a planned manner. When there is a proctor present at the scene, how do outsiders attack students? The government is trying to violently suppress this movement,” Nahid claimed.
Earlier, they attempted to go to the Shaheed Minar with a procession from Shahidullah Hall, but the police barred them at Doyel Chattar.
Protests and attacks on students were also reported at Jahangirnagar University, Jagannath University, Chittagong University, Rajshahi University, Barisal University, Begum Rokeya University Rangpur, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, and Pabna University of Science and Technology, among other institutions.
The BNP, other opposition parties, and netizens supporting the quota reform movement condemned the attacks by BCL members with sticks. In front of Shahidullah Hall, a gun-toting BCL member was seen during clashes with the protesters.
On the other hand, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and senior leaders of the Awami League criticized the protesters for chanting “I am Razakar” slogans on Sunday night. The Editors Guild, Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ), and 24 eminent citizens expressed deep concerns regarding the slogans chanted by quota protesters.
Earlier in the day, Chhatra League’s DU unit took full control of the campus after an hour-long clash and chase counter-chase with agitated students, which left many students injured. The Chhatra League men also attacked the injured students and attendees at Dhaka Medical College Hospital twice in the evening.
The clashes ensued after the end of the students’ demonstration at Raju Memorial Sculpture, which began around noon on Monday to protest Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's remarks supporting the quota system.
The students from Jagannath University also organized a protest march towards Raju Memorial Sculpture in the afternoon to express solidarity with the movement. In parallel, starting from 11am, the JnU unit Chhatra League members were seen taking positions throughout the campus.
Amid a tense situation, the DU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr ASM Maksud Kamal presided over an emergency meeting of the Provost Committee at 5pm. The meeting reviewed the overall situation and made five decisions.
The meeting decided that the students will maintain a peaceful academic environment in their halls while the provosts and residential teachers will be there to ensure the safety of the students and take necessary measures, and no outsider will be able to stay in the halls. They also asked all concerned to refrain from any kind of rumor and propaganda, and subversive activities.
On Sunday, the agitating students submitted a memorandum to the president seeking the passage of a law through an emergency parliamentary session to enact logical reforms to the quota system in all grades of government jobs. They also demanded the withdrawal of a case filed by the police, giving a 24-hour ultimatum and denouncing the case as “false and fabricated.”
After the premier’s press conference, the movement leaders and general participants started regrouping at different halls and brought out a massive procession after 11:30pm, chanting slogans against the prime minister and claiming themselves as Razakars to protest her remarks.
They reached Shahbagh, the busiest intersection they had been occupying since early July, to press home their demand, and returned to the halls after midnight. During this time, the students of Jagannath University and Jahangirnagar University also staged processions.
On the other hand, Chhatra League leaders and activists gathered at Ducsu Bhaban around 2am and carried out a mammoth procession with activists of all halls and different units after an hour, chanting slogans against the protesters for defaming the prime minister, the Liberation War, and the freedom fighters.
Witnesses said that after the protest rally ended around 3pm on Monday, a section of the protesters went to DU’s Bijoy Ekattor Hall. When they tried to enter the gate of the hall, Chhatra League activists threw shoes at them. Then the protesters threw brickbats, resulting in a clash.
Being chased, the protesters moved towards the Central Shaheed Minar through Fuller Road and the VC Chattar. After the incident, the Chhatra League activists took full control of the campus after almost an hour.
Meanwhile, Chhatra League leaders accused the protesters of attacking students who refused to join their rallies at Bijoy Ekattor Hall. They alleged that the protesters were armed with sticks and rods.
Referring to visuals, Chhatra League leaders said protesters demanding quota reforms “vandalized the front gate of the hall.” Several activists and general students were assaulted as they declined to join the quota protests, they said.
Meanwhile, at least six people, including Eden College Samajtantrik Chhatra Front unit President Shahinur Sumi, were injured in an alleged attack by the college’s Chhatra League unit activists. The incident took place when the Eden College students tried to march towards Raju Memorial Sculpture in the afternoon.
Our DU correspondent Mahathir Mohammed of DU, JnU correspondent contributed to this report
