At least 20 people, including police officers and students, were injured in a series of clashes at the Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology campus in Gazipur on Sunday over the joining of the institution’s newly appointed Vice-Chancellor.
The campus became tense from the morning as students affiliated with Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and those reportedly backed by Islami Chhatra Shibir engaged in repeated confrontations involving brick-throwing, chases, arson and explosions resembling crude cocktail devices. Police later fired tear gas shells several times in an effort to bring the situation under control.
According to university sources and eyewitnesses, the government on Thursday issued a notification appointing Professor Mohammad Iqbal of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology as the new Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology. Immediately after the announcement, a section of students began protesting the decision.
The protesting students argued that Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology is a specialised engineering institution with distinct academic and administrative requirements, and therefore its Vice-Chancellor should be appointed from among the university’s internal faculty members.
Demonstrations began on Thursday evening, when protesting students brought out a procession and later staged demonstrations by setting fire on the Dhaka–Shimultali road. The movement continued on Friday with participation from students of several departments. Protesters declared the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor “unwanted” and hung banners at the university’s main gate.
As part of the continuing movement, protesters announced a “Red Card to the New VC” programme on Sunday morning. Students gathered at the university’s main entrance and later locked the gate.
At around 10:00 am, before Professor Mohammad Iqbal arrived on campus, protesting students took position in front of the main gate. Later, a group of students aligned with Chhatra Dal attempted to open the gate and facilitate his entry. This led first to an argument, followed by brick-throwing and eventually violent clashes.
Eyewitnesses said that during one phase of the conflict, a group of students and outsiders positioned inside the campus began hurling bricks at students outside the gate. The opposing group responded similarly, escalating the confrontation further. Fires were lit in front of the main entrance, while repeated chase-and-counter-chase incidents continued for several hours.
Police were called in and used tear gas multiple times. The situation became relatively calmer only after additional police personnel were deployed, though tension reportedly remained in and around the campus until evening.
Incident Summary
| Subject | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology, Gazipur |
| Cause of unrest | Joining of newly appointed Vice-Chancellor |
| New Vice-Chancellor | Professor Mohammad Iqbal |
| Previous institution | Shahjalal University of Science and Technology |
| Total injured | At least 20 |
| Injured police officers | 5 |
| Injured students | At least 15 |
| Hospital | Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital |
Among those injured was Gazipur Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Aminul Islam, along with four other police officers. At least 15 students from both sides were also injured and received treatment at Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital.
Following the incident, both student groups issued statements blaming each other.
In a statement signed by Chhatra Dal Central Office Secretary Md Jahangir Alam, it was alleged that individuals linked to Chhatra Shibir, posing as general students, were deliberately trying to destabilise the campus. The statement also said that appointing Vice-Chancellors from outside institutions is not uncommon in universities across the country.
Separately, Islami Chhatra Shibir Central Publicity Secretary SM Farhad claimed that protesting students were attacked by Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal and outsiders. He also alleged the involvement of BNP-aligned teachers, officials and staff members, and claimed that sticks and local weapons were used during the attack.
Despite the unrest, Professor Mohammad Iqbal formally joined as Vice-Chancellor later in the day. DUET Registrar Professor Md Abu Tayyab said the new Vice-Chancellor remained safe during the clashes and officially assumed office in the afternoon from outgoing Vice-Chancellor Zainal Abedin.
Officer-in-Charge Aminul Islam said additional police had been deployed across the campus to maintain law and order.