Private university students suspend protest, join forces for press conference amid tension with new student group

In a sudden shift, private university students have postponed their protest activities and decided to join a press conference alongside the newly formed Bangladesh Democratic Students Union. 

This move comes after a series of confrontations and tensions within the student movement.

M J H Manju, the convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement‍‍`s private university wing, announced on Thursday that they would halt their protest plans, which had been scheduled for earlier in the day. 

Speaking to bdnews24.com, Manju said, "We have decided to suspend our activities for today. We made this decision at 8 AM. The next step is a press conference with the new student group at 4 PM."

The shift in plans follows an intense altercation at Dhaka University‍‍`s Madhur Cantine on Wednesday. 

The conflict erupted after the announcement of the Bangladesh Democratic Students Union, when two groups clashed over the inclusion of private university students in the organization’s committee. 

One group, which had gathered in front of Madhur Cantine, demanded the inclusion of private university students, while the other side wanted to maintain the existing draft committee. 

The disagreement escalated into a physical altercation, adding fuel to the growing tension.

In the wake of the confrontation, private university students took to the streets, claiming that they had been attacked. 

On Thursday, the private university wing of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement organized a protest and issued a warning that if their demands were not met, they would initiate a "Dhaka Blockade" the following day.

The protest announcement was made late Wednesday night when Naim Abedin, a member of the central executive committee of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, and M J H Manju blocked a road near the movement‍‍`s office in Banglamotor. 

The blockade lasted until around 11 PM.

During the roadblock, Naim Abedin expressed his frustration, saying, “They are forming this student organization over the blood of private students. All the advisers have emerged standing on the blood of private students. This country was freed through the sacrifices of private students, yet private students have been excluded from the leadership.”

He continued, “Today, in the new student organization, they have left out students from private universities, as well as national universities, madrasas, and the seven colleges. If they exclude us, we will shut down Dhaka with a blockade. No political party will stand by and allow this.”

The students’ protests and their decision to take joint action with the Bangladesh Democratic Students Union have sparked widespread discussions, raising questions about representation and inclusion in student organizations. 

The outcome of the planned press conference and the growing tension between student factions will likely have a significant impact on the student movement in the coming days.