Protests and counter-protests broke out at Dhaka University (DU) on Saturday night following a three-day eviction drive to remove illegal shops, street vendors, and homeless individuals from the campus.
The operation, conducted under pressure from students demanding a cleaner and safer campus, triggered heated confrontations between rival student groups and allegations of misconduct.
The drive, led by the university’s proctorial team with support from the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu), was carried out with assistance from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Dhaka South City Corporation, metro rail authorities, and volunteers from Green Future Foundation.
Ducsu Social Welfare Secretary AB Zubair (Zubair bin Nesari) and member Sarba Mitra Chakma were among the key student leaders who took part in the eviction.
University officials said the operation targeted unregistered and illegal shops, including those established beneath the metro rail station near the campus.
Assistant Proctor Associate Professor Rafiqul Islam said the university was responding to “the demand of 30,000 students for a clean and safe campus.”
He added that the administration could not ignore security concerns linked to unregulated commercial activity on university property.
Ducsu leaders defended the move, claiming that outsiders had begun living permanently under and around metro rail tracks and were allegedly involved in drug trading, mugging, and other crimes.
“Allowing homeless people to stay around the campus enables criminal networks to remain active,” said Social Welfare Secretary AB Zubair.
Ducsu General Secretary SM Farhad echoed the claim, arguing that “the university’s stakeholders do not include drug dealers, unregistered shopkeepers, or hawkers,” and accused opponents of siding with “old drug and illegal financial syndicates.”
Clash and counter-protests
Tensions escalated around 9pm when left-leaning student organizations joined hawkers and shopkeepers to protest the eviction.
Demonstrators accused Ducsu members of using excessive force and vandalizing shops.
The protest began from the Suhrawardy Udyan gate near the TSC intersection, moved toward the VC Chattar, and returned to TSC before culminating in a rally under the Raju Sculpture.
Leaders of the leftist student groups condemned the drive as “inhumane” and “unjust,” arguing that it stripped vulnerable people of their livelihoods.
“Eviction must follow a systematic and agreed process,” said Jahidul Islam Riad, organizing secretary of Biplobi Chhatra Moitri.
Socialist Students’ Front DU unit convener Mozammel Haque said people who have worked on campus for years should not be removed without rehabilitation.
Several vendors alleged they were assaulted during the drive.
Floating momo seller Md Mohinuddin claimed that Ducsu leaders and proctorial staff physically attacked vendors and flower sellers, destroyed his stall even as he tried to move it, and verbally abused women and children.
Rights activists, including DU Sociology Professor Samina Luthfa, criticized the eviction.
On her Facebook page, she wrote: “I don’t see Ducsu’s constitution anywhere. Can someone share it? Let me see where it says that thuggery in the name of student politics is justified.”
Disciplinary action
Later that night, around 11pm, Ducsu leaders organized a counter-rally near the proctor’s office, condemning the protest by left-leaning activists and hawkers.
Participants included Ducsu Social Welfare Secretary AB Zubair, member Sarba Mitra Chakma, Surja Sen Hall Vice President Azizul Haque, and Ziaur Rahman Hall General Secretary Asif Imam.
During a late-night meeting with assistant proctors, Ducsu leaders demanded disciplinary measures against the students who took part in the anti-eviction rally and submitted video evidence to the administration.
Sarba Mitra Chakma alleged that the demonstration was “instigated by leftist groups” trying to undermine campus safety efforts.
Assistant Proctor Rafiqul Islam confirmed that the administration would issue show-cause notices to the students involved.
“If any current students are found participating in rallies alongside hawkers, action will be taken,” he said, describing it as the administration’s “first confirmed step.”
Rafiqul Islam emphasized that while DU students have the right to protest, they cannot include outsiders in campus demonstrations.
“Students can hold protests, but not with hawkers or street vendors, as that raises security concerns. They can exercise their democratic rights elsewhere, such as Shahbagh,” he said.
