Tensions flared at Jagannath University late on Monday night when a symbolic protest marking Bangladesh’s Victory Day descended into violence, with students alleging that they were attacked for attempting to draw the Pakistani flag on campus as an expression of historical condemnation. Two journalists covering the incident were also assaulted, raising serious concerns about campus security, freedom of expression, and press safety.
According to students, the confrontation began shortly after midnight near the university’s main gate, where a group of students were drawing the Pakistani flag on an internal campus road. The act was intended as a symbolic gesture, allowing people to walk over the flag as a public expression of condemnation of Pakistan’s actions during the 1971 Liberation War. Students involved insist the demonstration was peaceful and commemorative in nature, aligned with Victory Day observances.
Farhad Ibn Basit, a Physics Department student from the 2019–20 academic session, said the situation changed abruptly when several assistant proctors arrived at the scene. They questioned why permission had not been sought before drawing the flag and attempted to halt the activity. A heated verbal exchange followed between students and university officials, after which the proctors temporarily left the area.
However, the conflict soon escalated. Farhad alleged that when students resumed drawing the flag, a group of residential hall students suddenly charged at them and launched a physical attack in the presence of university proctors. He claimed the attackers repeatedly stated that “an understanding has already been reached with Pakistan” and that no such flag could be drawn on campus.
The alleged statement has triggered outrage among students, many of whom view it as deeply offensive and historically insensitive, particularly in the context of Victory Day. For them, the protest symbolised remembrance of genocide and resistance, not diplomatic hostility.
Two journalists present at the scene were also assaulted. Minhazul Islam, a multimedia reporter, said he was attacked while broadcasting live from the campus. He stated that several students attempted to block his reporting before physically assaulting him, all while a university proctor was present. Minhazul has since demanded a fair investigation and accountability for those responsible.
Another journalist, Omar Faruk Jilani, a student of Mass Communication and Journalism and a campus correspondent, provided further details. He said assistant proctor Mohammad Ali initially threatened students with expulsion for drawing the flag. Later, chief proctor Professor Muhammad Tajammul Haque intervened, attempting to stop the activity once again. Jilani added that the situation deteriorated when some hall students attempted to leave campus by bus and refused to wait until the protest concluded, leading to chaos and eventual attacks on both students and journalists.
Professor Tajammul Haque acknowledged being present at the scene and said efforts were made to calm both sides. He described the violence as unexpected and assured that CCTV footage would be reviewed to identify those responsible, promising appropriate disciplinary action.
In response to the attacks, the Jagannath University unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal organised an overnight protest march. Demonstrators chanted slogans demanding justice for assaulted students and journalists, while denouncing what they described as “agents of Pakistan”. During the protest, students again drew Pakistani flags at multiple campus locations.
The unrest intensified when protesters blocked vehicles belonging to the vice-chancellor and members of the proctorial body, effectively confining senior administrators inside the administrative building until morning.
Student leaders later issued a 24-hour ultimatum, demanding identification and punishment of the attackers. Despite the unrest, Victory Day celebrations continued the next morning, with students holding a victory procession from Kathaltala to Bishwajit Chattar, underscoring the deep emotional and historical significance of the day.