Political unrest and student protests, Dhaka’s streets are heated

POBNEWS24, Dhaka May 15, 2025 :  Suddenly, political unrest and student protests and conflictive situations have heated up the streets of Dhaka in Bangladesh. The movement of nursing students, the protest of Jagannath University students on three demands – a sit-in in front of the residence of the chief advisor and the killing of Dhaka University student Shahriar Alam Samya at Suhrawardy Udyan – all of which have raised questions in the public mind, unrest.
In the investigation into the murder of Chhatra Dal leader Samya, the police, with the help of CCTV footage analysis and information technology, arrested Tamim Howlader (30), Samrat Mallick (28) and Palash Sardar (30) involved in the incident. Later, the court ordered them to be sent to jail.
Dhaka University became heated after the Samya murder. In addition to holding protest marches and rallies on the Chhatra Dal campus, they demanded the resignation of the university’s vice-chancellor and proctor for the murder of Samya. In addition, criticism was also raised about the security of Suhrawardy Udyan and the administration’s failure to stop illegal activities after this murder.
In the wake of this incident, the Dhaka South City Corporation started an eviction drive in Suhrawardy Udyan on Thursday (May 15). Illegal shops and establishments were demolished. In addition, 8 decisions have been taken, including strengthening the security of the garden, installing adequate lighting and CCTV cameras, and banning public entry after 8 pm.
However, even after taking these steps, tension prevails among students at DU over the Samya murder.
On the other hand, on Wednesday (May 14) night, Information Advisor Mahfuz Alam went to talk to students participating in the ongoing sit-in program in front of Kakrail Mosque. While he was giving his speech, a young man from the crowd threw a plastic water bottle at his head. The video of the incident went viral on social media, where it can be seen that the young man had a cap on his head and that police members were also present at the scene.
Immediately after the incident, the police are analyzing the video footage and trying to identify the accused youth. Dhaka Metropolitan Police Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) SN Md. Nazrul Islam said that the young man will be identified and brought to justice.
Along with the country’s political leaders, various government advisors have also expressed concern over the incident. There are various rumors going around in the country’s political arena regarding this. To some extent, the government is under pressure due to its failure to provide security to the advisors in this situation. Taking advantage of the opportunity, a class of activists have started criticizing the government through social media. Which may create an embarrassing situation for the government.
In addition, the situation is also heated on social media regarding the police’s water cannon and lathicharge during the blockade of the students of Nasing in Shahbagh. These incidents are at the center of discussion across the country.
Meanwhile, Jagannath University has been declared a “shutdown” until the demands are met. No classes or examinations will be held at the university. Professor Md. Raish Uddin, General Secretary of Jagannath University Teachers’ Association, made this announcement at the ongoing sit-in program at Kakrail intersection in the capital on Thursday.
After discussing with the protesting student representatives at around 2 pm, the teacher said, ‘We have come to demand our rights, to realize our demands. We will not return home without realizing our demands.’
Professor Raish Uddin said, ‘We have not come here to speak against anyone; we have not come here to conspire. We have come here to bring the just rights of Jagannath University. The police have attacked us indiscriminately. This is complete anarchy and injustice.’