Tension flared at Dhaka University (DU) on Saturday night (25 October) over an eviction drive to remove illegal and makeshift shops from the campus.

The situation started becoming tense around 9pm, when several student groups protested the eviction, claiming that some shops were vandalised during the drive.

Left-leaning student organisations joined the protest in solidarity with the evicted hawkers and shopkeepers. The protest march began from the Suhrawardy Udyan gate near TSC intersection, passing through the VC Chattar and returning to TSC.

“Dhaka University, as a public institution, has a responsibility towards students and the general public,” said Jahidul Islam Riad, organisational secretary of the Biplobi Chhatra Moitri. “Eviction must follow a systematic and mutually agreed process.”

Later, around 11pm, Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) Social Welfare Secretary AB Zubair, Member Sarva Mitra Chakma, Surja Sen Hall Vice President Azizul Haque, and Ziaur Rahman Hall General Secretary Asif Imam led a counter demonstration near the proctor’s office, protesting the rally of the leftist activists and hawkers.

During a late-night meeting with several assistant proctors, the Ducsu leaders demanded disciplinary action against the students who took part in the rally supporting evicted hawkers and shopkeepers. They also submitted video footage of the protest.

Photo: TBS

After the meeting, Assistant Proctor Associate Professor Rafiqul Islam told reporters that the administration would issue show-cause notices to the students involved.

“For the safety of students, illegal shops cannot remain on campus,” he said. “If any current students are found participating in rallies with hawkers, we will take action. This is our first step, and the decision is confirmed.”

He added, “Students have the right to protest, but they cannot bring outsiders — hawkers or street vendors — into campus demonstrations. They can exercise democratic rights elsewhere, such as Shahbagh. But if the march is strictly by DU students, we will allow it.”

Rafiqul further said the eviction drive had been ongoing for three days under pressure from students demanding a cleaner campus. “Around 30,000 students want an eviction of illegal vendors. We cannot ignore their demand because of opposition from a few individuals or former students.”

“The university will not permit unregistered or illegal shops anywhere on campus, including under the metro rail station,” he said.