Student political clashes at Alia Madrasa: Chhatra Shibir withdraws, Chhatra Dal occupies hall
Following hours of intermittent clashes and retaliatory pursuits, members of Islami Chhatra Shibir have withdrawn from the Government Madrasa-e-Alia in Dhaka's Bakshibazar area. The withdrawal occurred around 6:30 PM on Tuesday, after which members of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal entered the institution's sole residential hall, Allama Kashgari (R.A.) Hall. Upon entering, Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal members reportedly vandalized several rooms that had been under Chhatra Shibir's control since August 5, 2024. During this period, some individuals allegedly assaulted the Madrasa's Principal, Mohammad Obaidul Haque. Subsequently, Chhatra Dal members instructed students residing in the hall to vacate, and then locked the hall's gates. Approximately several hundred Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal activists, led by Robiul Islam Nayan, member secretary of Jubo Dal's Dhaka Metropolitan South unit, entered the hall. Police were present outside the hall during this time. Mohammad Ibrahim, a first-year Fazil student and Chhatra Dal activist at Dhaka Alia Madrasa, stated that the hall was locked for student safety and would be reopened when conditions permit. Islami Chhatra Shibir reported 25 of its members injured, with one named Fuad in critical condition due to a head injury requiring 12 stitches. Conversely, Chhatra Dal reported over 30 injured, with two from Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal in serious condition, attributing the injuries to attacks by Chhatra Shibir. The initial tension began earlier on Tuesday, following a clash between Islami Chhatra Shibir and Jatiyata Shakti activists at Jagannath University over participation in a seminar commemorating the second anniversary of the July coup. This escalated into a confrontation between Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir around 3 PM, resulting in injuries on both sides. Chhatra Shibir blamed Chhatra Dal for the initial conflict, claiming Chhatra Dal members entered the hall, assaulted Shibir members, and locked rooms before being driven out. The situation intensified again around 5:15 PM with a second wave of clashes involving stone-pelting and pursuits on the road in front of the Madrasa, transforming the area into a chaotic scene with reports of seven to eight cocktail explosions.
The events at Government Madrasa-e-Alia highlight the persistent challenges of student political group rivalries within educational institutions, often leading to disruptions and violence. The occupation of the hall and subsequent vandalism by Chhatra Dal, following Chhatra Shibir's alleged control since August 2024, points to a cycle of territorial disputes and retaliatory actions. The involvement of both student wings and their parent parties, Jubo Dal and Chhatra Shibir, suggests a broader political dynamic influencing campus affairs. The police's limited initial intervention and subsequent increase in presence indicate a struggle to maintain order amidst escalating conflict. This situation underscores the need for robust institutional mechanisms to manage inter-group disputes, ensure student safety, and uphold academic environments, especially as student politics continue to be influenced by national political alignments.
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