On February 26, 2025, students clashed at Dhaka University (DU) during a press conference that members of the anti-discrimination movement held to announce a new student organization, Bangladesh Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad (BGCS). At least 10 students were injured.

The conflict broke out after private university students began shouting slogans to express their frustration about allegedly being left out of the decision-making process and not included in any of the new organization’s leadership positions. The private university students argued that their role in the student movement that had led to the fall of the previous government led by the Awami League should have been recognized in the creation of BGCS.

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://en.prothomalo.com/youth/xumjv8pdwo
https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/dhaka/374886/11-injured-as-new-student-organization-gets
https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/new-student-org-gonotantrik-chhatro-sangsad-launched-1079131