The Dhaka University (DU) campus remained tense on Thursday amid the Awami League’s “Dhaka Lockdown” program, with regular classes continuing in most departments but with significantly lower attendance.
Although the university did not officially announce a holiday, several departments postponed classes and exams due to the prevailing unrest. Classes were suspended in the Pali and Buddhist Studies, Social Welfare and Research Institute, Fisheries, Mass Communication and Journalism, and Management Information Systems departments.
The Anthropology Department decided to conduct online classes, while midterm exams in the International Relations and History departments were postponed.
“Our ongoing midterm exams have been cancelled due to political unrest,” said Abdullah Al Safi, a student of International Relations.
In departments where classes were held, attendance remained thin. “Only about 30–40% of students came today,” said Ibrahim Khalil, a student of the English Department.
Earlier in the morning, Islami Chhatra Shibir held a protest march on campus, demanding the legal recognition of the July Charter and the trial of genocide. The rally began around 7am and ended near the Raju Memorial Sculpture, with a large number of activists chanting slogans and announcing plans to occupy various points of the university.
Meanwhile, Chhatra Dal activists were reportedly preparing to hold sit-in demonstrations throughout the day.
Law enforcement presence was visible at key entry points to the campus, with additional police deployed to maintain order. Teachers and students said many were avoiding campus due to security concerns amid the ongoing political tensions.
