Chattogram University students staged a protest following controversial comments by a leader of Jamaat-e-Islami regarding the recent campus clashes.
The protest erupted after a video of the leader’s remarks circulated widely on social media. Students gathered late Friday night, around 2:00 am, at the university’s Golchattar, A.F. Rahman Hall, and Shaheed Farhad Hossain Hall to express their dissent.
Earlier, on Thursday evening, a discussion meeting was held in nearby Jobra village, organized by local residents. During the meeting, Sirajul Islam, the Jamaat-nominated candidate for Chattogram-5 (Hathazari) constituency, said, “Chattogram University was established on our ancestral property. We are the owners of the university and the surrounding area. We are landlords, and we will not tolerate anyone interfering with our rights.”
He added, “This university is on our land. We are its owners, so we will not accept injustice. We must be respected. If the university does not grant us proper respect, we will take necessary action with public support.”
The meeting was also attended by Habibullah Khaled, office secretary of Islami Chhatra Shibir’s Chattogram University branch. Speaking before Sirajul Islam, Khaled addressed the campus clashes, stating, “These incidents occurred due to misunderstandings. The real perpetrators are not from this area but came from outside. They must be arrested. We urge locals to identify those responsible. Reports indicate that organized groups came from places like Rauzan. We should all work together to maintain peaceful relations.”
The video of the meeting circulated widely on social media on Friday, provoking outrage among students. This led to the late-night protest, during which students chanted slogans such as: “No feudalism over Chittagong University,” “Flames to the sycophants,” “Beware, agents of terror,” and “We will not let our brothers’ blood go in vain.”
The protest reflects growing tensions on campus following remarks perceived as attempts to assert control over university grounds and nearby areas.
