On January 26, 2025, hundreds of students from Dhaka University (DU) clashed with students from seven DU affiliated colleges during a protest. At least 20 people were injured.

The clash occurred when students from the affiliated colleges–Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Begum Badrunnesa Government College, Government Bangla College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Government Titumir College, and Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College–marched towards the DU vice chancellor’s home to demand better educational conditions, updated campus facilities, and the removal of the quota system from the colleges’ admissions.

When students from the seven colleges arrived at the DU gates, they clashed with DU students. Police forces fired sound grenades in an attempt to disperse the students, but the students continued to clash. The students voluntarily returned to their respective campuses a few hours later. Both sides claimed that the other group was responsible.

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.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/students-du-affiliated-7-colleges-block-science-lab-intersection-1053196
https://www.voice7news.tv/education/news/15050
https://en.prothomalo.com/youth/education/88dfmv05v3