Final-year students at Dhanmondi Square College of Nursing submitted a letter citing a lack of security and left the college hostel on Wednesday morning.
Clashes had broken out on Tuesday among the students over the resignation of the college principal. The situation was brought under control around 9pm by the Square Hospital authorities, their security staff, and the Army.
Following the unrest on Tuesday, all teachers walked out of the college and refrained from holding classes, citing concerns over their safety. As of now, they have not resumed any classes at the nursing college.
The Square Hospital authorities have said that they are addressing the issue internally and do not want any outside interference.
The incident began when some students demanded reforms and the resignation of two teachers, including the vice principal. The principal subsequently resigned, allegedly in response to the demands of another group of students.
However, after speaking with four teachers at the college, it was revealed that the principal resigned voluntarily, without any pressure from students.
The nursing college was closed for a month due to the uprising against the Awami League government on July 17 and reopened on August 18. The final examination for fourth-year students began on August 24, and Tuesday was their last exam.
Vacant
When this reporter visited the college yesterday, a security guard mentioned that most students had left the hostel early in the morning and that faculty members and teachers did not come that day.
Dhaka Tribune spoke with seven fourth-year students at the college. They said they left the hostel by 9am yesterday because first-, second-, and third-year students attacked them on Tuesday afternoon. They now feel insecure on the college campus.
The students explained that they are studying at this nursing college through a loan facility, which allows them to pay a small amount upfront and cover the remaining balance in monthly installments after securing a job. Given their financial situation, they are reluctant to speak publicly about their problems, fearing it might jeopardize their scholarships and future studies.
One fourth-year student told Dhaka Tribune that three months ago, the vice principal received a warning letter from the Square Hospital authorities over her use of abusive language toward the previous intern batch. The students had recorded the incident and sent it to the authorities.
As a result, she was warned that she would be dismissed if she misbehaved with students again within the next three months. Since then, her behavior had improved, and she interacted with the students in a more moderate manner.
The student added that they encouraged dialogue with the students who were demanding the teachers' resignation, but the protesters were unwilling to consider anything other than the resignation of three teachers. The protesting students decided to take action without any discussion with the fourth-year students.
She claimed that, in the meantime, Principal Nasima Khatun, an Associate Professor, resigned voluntarily, even though her name was not among the three teachers targeted by the protesters. After this incident, the agitating students attacked the fourth-year students, escalating the tension on campus. Some teachers and fourth-year students were also physically assaulted, resulting in injuries.
It was reported that a total of 197 students are enrolled at the college, with almost all being female. Each batch includes five students who study as day scholars, living outside the hostel. Only female students stay in the hostel, and the majority of the teachers, 13 in total, are female, along with nine guest lecturers.
This reporter tried to contact the three targeted teachers, but they declined to comment.
Students split
According to a teacher, one group of students wanted to bring back the principal, while another group opposed this. She explained that during the examination, the principal visited the classes and discussed potential college reforms with the students, after which she resigned.
After news of her resignation spread, tension rose among the protesters. The teacher mentioned that due to a lack of security, the teachers left the college and submitted a letter. They have decided not to resume classes until the situation feels completely safe.
Tanzida Ferdoush, a lecturer in nursing, told Dhaka Tribune that the Square Hospital authorities are addressing the issue internally. She added that they will rejoin the college soon if the situation becomes favorable. Tanzida emphasized that the principal resigned voluntarily and was not forced to do so.
Nasim Hossain, a third-year student and a member of the movement, said they wanted to bring the principal back to the college, describing the conflict as an internal issue between different batches of students. By around 9:30, the atmosphere had calmed down, and the authorities had resolved the situation.
Another third-year student, Khadiza, told Dhaka Tribune that the situation returned to normal by the next morning. However, when asked why the teachers and final-year students felt insecure, several protesting students claimed they were unaware of any specific reasons for these concerns.
Some students, however, lodged complaints against the principal, alleging that she forced them to spend time with her disabled daughter, who is also a university student, and to take her for walks and outings. They claimed that male students were often sent to accompany her daughter or that students were left at her house to care for her daughter when the principal and her husband were away.
Additionally, some students accused the principal of giving special privileges to those who were attractive or talented in singing and dancing. They suggested that the students who received scholarships through the principal were the ones leading the movement to bring her back.
