On May 14, 2025, police forcibly dispersed Jagannath University students and faculty members during a student protest. Dozens of protesters were injured.

Several hundred students organized the protest to demand increased housing scholarships, approval of the university’s budget, and the completion of a proposed second campus outside of the city. The protest began in front of the university gates and was planned to end at Bangladesh’s chief advisor’s residence in Dhaka.

In anticipation of the protests, the police had set up barricades near the advisor’s residence to prevent the demonstrators from proceeding. As the students neared the police, they attempted to break through the barricades. In response, police used batons, fired tear gas and sound grenades, and deployed water cannons to disperse the protesters, causing injuries to students and faculty.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about the use of force during a student protest. While state authorities have the responsibility to maintain order and prevent disruption, they must refrain from the disproportionate use of force and endangerment of civilians and must respect the right to freedom of association and freedom of expression. Students and members of the public must refrain from violence, especially on campus, and also respect the right to freedom of association and freedom of expression. Such actions, beyond harming the immediate victims, have a chilling effect on academic freedom.

Sources:
*SAR identified this incident in data made publicly available by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED)
https://www.newagebd.net/post/country/264865/50-hurt-as-jnu-march-to-jamuna-intercepted
https://www.daily-sun.com/post/804998
https://www.newagebd.net/post/country/265040/jnu-protests-end-as-demands-met