Islami Chhatra Shibir has continued its program for a second consecutive day at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) of Dhaka University (DU), reportedly defying the university’s proctorial orders.
The three-day event titled "36 July: We Will Not Stop” sparked controversy after photographs of convicted war criminals were displayed, drawing sharp criticism from students. Many termed the display a "dishonor to the spirit of the Liberation War."
Following mounting protests on Tuesday evening, DU’s proctorial team intervened and removed the images. Angry students chanted slogans such as "No place for war criminals in Bangladesh."
The DU unit of Chhatra Dal condemned the display of recognized collaborators’ images, including that of convicted BNP leader Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, calling it "outrageous and disrespectful."
Left-leaning student bodies, including Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Parishad, submitted a four-point demand to the university administration. Among their demands: an immediate halt to Shibir’s program and permanent removal of the controversial photographs.
Responding to the criticism, DU Shibir president SM Farhad claimed the event had been arranged with official approval from the administration. “If the DU authorities want to cancel the event, they must provide valid reasons. Otherwise, the program will continue,” he said, adding that any attempt to disrupt the event would be “politically resisted.”
Regarding the photos of convicted war criminals, Farhad said, “We removed them after complaints were made. The images were used to highlight judicial killings during Hasina’s rule. Including Salauddin Quader Chowdhury’s image was not a political statement but has been twisted into one.”
In a Facebook post, Bangladesh Chhatra Union’s DU unit general secretary Main Ahmed said they held a long meeting with the DU proctor, who assured them that the administration would cancel Shibir’s permit and issue an official statement disowning the controversial event.
Despite these developments, tensions escalated Tuesday night as student protesters and Shibir activists confronted each other at TSC with chants and counter-chants.
DU Proctor Prof. Saifuddin Ahmed told media on Wednesday that he had spoken several times with SM Farhad and other Shibir leaders, urging them to cancel the event.
“We are not granting permission for today’s or tomorrow’s events,” the proctor said. “But they claim that today’s program is academic in nature, with invited guests. They say canceling it would put them in an awkward situation.”
The proctor added, “We can’t forcibly evict them. It seems they will go ahead with today’s session, but we are clear that the university has not approved it.”
