The Dhaka University administration has removed photos of convicted 1971 war criminals from an exhibition organized by the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Chhatra Shibir, following widespread outrage from left-leaning student organizations.
The photos were taken down on Tuesday evening from the TSC (Teacher-Student Centre) premises.
The exhibition, titled "36 July: We Will Not Stop", was a three-day event featuring discussions, exhibitions, and cultural programs organized by the Dhaka University unit of Chhatra Shibir to mark the anniversary of the July Uprising.
When images of individuals convicted of war crimes during the 1971 Liberation War were spotted at the venue and later circulated on social media, they sparked strong backlash and criticism.
As of 9:30 PM, tensions continued at TSC, with leftist activists and Shibir supporters engaging in counter-slogans.
Speaking to The Report Live, University Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed said, “As soon as I was informed, I sent an assistant proctor to have the photos removed. We want the 5th of August to be celebrated in a joyful atmosphere, and we want to avoid any kind of controversy or unrest. That’s why the pictures were taken down.”
Ikbal Hayder, Science Affairs Secretary of Chhatra Shibir and one of the event organizers, defended the display. He told The Report Live, “The photos were intended to showcase those who, over the past 16 years, were victims of judicial killings and political vengeance under Hasina’s regime.”
Following the removal of the images, SM Farhad, President of Chhatra Shibir’s Dhaka University unit, made a Facebook post stating that a segment of their exhibition had been unfairly targeted with criticism and mob agitation. He affirmed that their stance is clear: while the Liberation War of 1971 is a proud chapter in the nation’s history, forces like BAKSAL and the Shahbagh movement have distorted its legacy. He vowed that their political stance against those “crimes” will continue.
In contrast, several student leaders criticized the inclusion of war criminals’ photos as a disgraceful attempt to undermine the significance of the July Uprising by drawing a false equivalence with 1971.
Umama Fatema, former coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, said displaying such images was a "vile effort" to discredit the anniversary of the uprising by equating it with opposition to the Liberation War.
Abdul Kader, convener of the Dhaka University unit of the Democratic Student Union, alleged that Chhatra Shibir was making a "malicious attempt to erase the history of 1971."
President of the Revolutionary Student Unity at Dhaka University, Nuzia Hasin Rasha, added, “Today marks one year since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarian regime. Yet, with administrative support, Chhatra Shibir is attempting to create controversy around this day. Their exhibition featured known collaborators and rapists from the Liberation War—traitors who opposed the people’s struggle for freedom.”
Meanwhile, the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (BNP`s student wing) strongly condemned the display of convicted war criminals’ photos, including that of Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury, at the TSC premises.
