On January 12, 2025, members of the anti-discrimination student movement, the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), the student wing of the Bangladesh National Party, and the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the student wing of the former ruling party, the Awami League, clashed at Ananda Mohan College. At least 20 students were injured.

The clash occurred in the early evening after BCL members, carrying large wooden sticks ,gathered on campus to express their dissatisfaction that the college principal, Professor Md Aman Ullah, was meeting with members from the anti-discrimination student movement and JCD. The anti-discrimination student movement and JCD members were requesting that the college reduce the dormitory fee of Tk 7,000 (approximately $57 USD) to Tk 5,000 (approximately $41 USD), to be in alignment with other Bangladesh colleges.

BCL members engaged in a chase and counter-chase with the students. Police responded around 7pm and broke up the clash. Ullah announced that the college and male dormitories were closed for the next three days in an attempt to prevent further disruptions on campus.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about violent attacks by students against other students. Scholars at Risk calls on all parties to exercise restraint and to avoid violence. State authorities have the right and obligation to maintain order, which they must with due regard for the rights of protesters and others, including the rights to free expression, academic freedom, peaceful assembly, and due process.

Sources:
*SAR identified this incident in data made publicly available by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED)
https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/370647/20-injured-as-students-anti-discrimination
https://www.risingbd.com/english/country/news/109745#google_vignette
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/education/news/ananda-mohan-college-closed-3-days-3797951