On Victory Day, students of Dhaka University staged a significant protest against YouTubers Ilias Hossain and Pinaki Bhattacharya by burning their effigies, objecting to what they described as ‘obscene remarks’ and derogatory comments about Bangladesh’s independence and the Liberation War. The students said such statements were unacceptable and disrespectful, particularly during the month of national celebration.
The effigy-burning took place on Sunday (10 December) at 9:15 pm at the base of the Raju Sculpture on the university campus. Students gathered in large numbers to voice their anger and dissatisfaction with Pinaki and Ilias while simultaneously demonstrating respect for the country’s hard-earned freedom and the sacrifices made by those who fought during the Liberation War.
During the protest, participants chanted a series of slogans reflecting both anger and national pride, including ‘Pinaki’s two cheeks, beat them rhythmically with shoes’, ‘The address of Pakistanis will not be in this Bengal’, and ‘Ilias’s two cheeks, beat them rhythmically with shoes’. Additional chants included ‘Hear this, collaborators, Bengal belongs to my ancestors’. The slogans were designed to emphasise students’ commitment to national dignity, independence, and their own moral responsibility as citizens.
One of the organisers told a media outlet that the demonstration was carried out from a sense of moral duty and as conscious students of Dhaka University. He explained that the circulation of misleading narratives, disparaging remarks, and defamatory statements about Bangladesh’s independence and Liberation War made it impossible for students to remain silent, especially during the Victory Month. He added that such actions were viewed by students as a form of insult to the nation.
Students stressed that Victory Day represents the country’s independence and the memory of the Liberation War, and any insult or mockery during this period is intolerable. The protest was therefore a way to reaffirm their respect for the nation’s history and highlight their ethical responsibilities as both students and citizens.
The organisers further stated that such initiatives raise awareness among students and cultivate a respectful attitude towards moral and national values in society. They expressed hope that the protest would deliver a clear and strong message against any derogatory commentary on the country’s independence and Liberation War, reinforcing national pride, civic responsibility, and a sense of ethical obligation among the youth.