By 
28-01-2025
Debolina Samanta
Bangladesh Genocide Recognition Campaign,
Global Human Rights Defence.
Dhaka University (DU) has made history by formally terminating its affiliation with seven colleges: Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Government Bangla College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Begum Badrunnesa Government College, Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, and Government Titumir College. Previously affiliated with DU, these institutions will now operate independently under the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education.
The decision will take effect for the 2024–2025 academic year. The action comes after years of dispute and dissatisfaction amongst DU students and students from the affiliated colleges over administrative concerns such as disparities in resources, session jams and delayed results.
On January 27th, the protests unfolded among groups of students from the seven colleges when they met the Pro-Vice Chancellor of DU, Professor Mamun Ahmed, regarding their five-point demands, which included removing the quota system during admissions into the colleges. Heated arguments were exchanged during the meeting between the pro-VC and the student leaders, with students demanding an apology from Professor Ahmed for his aggressive behaviour.
Students of the seven colleges then took to the streets to protest for immediate action on their demands, while the students of DU’s AF Rahman Hall came out to position themselves guarding their college. At least 50 students were injured during confrontations between the student groups, requiring police intervention.
Tear gas, rubber bullets, and batons were used to disperse the crowd, while protesters retaliated with stone pelting, resulting in injuries on both sides. This increased the tensions between the student groups of the seven colleges and DU. Student leaders and activists also responded against the excessive force used by law enforcement during the protests, while the enforcers insisted it was to maintain order amongst the groups.
In response to the protest, the DU administration held a meeting with the principals of the seven colleges to discuss the dissatisfaction of the students, which eventually led to the decision to sever ties with the colleges, making a historic shift in Bangladesh’s education system.
Sources and Further Readings:
Correspondent. (2025a, January 27). What were six demands of students of seven colleges? Prothomalo. Retrieved January 28, 2025, from https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/city/4pcx503zuz
Correspondent, S. (2025b, January 27). DU, 7 Colleges part ways at last. The Daily Star. Retrieved January 28, 2025, from https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/education/news/du-7-colleges-part-ways-last-3809646
Report, T. (2025, January 27). Explainer: How violence unfolded between students of DU, 7 affiliated colleges. The Business Standard. Retrieved January 28, 2025, from https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/explainer-how-violence-unfolded-between-students-du-7-affiliated-colleges-1053721
Staff Correspondent. (2025, January 27). 7 colleges to be separated from DU. Prothomalo. Retrieved January 28, 2025, from https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/24a3tl0muy
The Financial Express. (2025, January 28). Dhaka University says bye to seven colleges. Retrieved January 28, 2025, from https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/last-page/dhaka-university-says-bye-to-seven-colleges-1738001098
Comments