Tensions flare at DU halls as JCD, Shibir clash over graffiti

Tensions escalated across several residential halls of Dhaka University since yesterday as activists of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS) engaged in face-offs, protests, and heated altercations over the control of campus wall space.

The friction, which has been simmering since a recent clash at Chattogram Government City College, manifested at DU through competing graffiti and provocative wall writings. The slogans primarily centre on the legitimacy of "covert politics," a rhetorical jab directed at Shibir.

In Dr Muhammad Shahidullah Hall, a midnight altercation broke out over competing slogans. JCD activists had previously painted "Gupto rajniti nipat jak" (Down with covert politics) on the lawn structure.

In response, Shibir activists attempted to write slogans such as "Ramda-dol" (a derogatory reference to JCD's alleged use of machetes) and "Adu Bhai-der thikana ei campus-e hobe na" (No place for 'aged' students on campus).

The situation turned volatile when JCD leaders intervened to stop the Shibir activists. Zunayed Abrar, member secretary of Shahidullah Hall JCD, claimed they intervened only because of the violent language used by Shibir.

"Every student has the right to paint graffiti. But when they use words like 'Ramda' to incite violence, we must object. We asked the hall administration to remove words that provoke terrorism or violence under Bangladeshi law," Abrar said.

Conversely, Taukir Hasan, publication secretary of DU Shibir and the general secretary of the hall union, alleged that JCD activists forcibly stopped them and kicked their paint pots away. Whilst the hall administration proposed removing both sets of graffiti, Shibir leaders claimed JCD refused to comply with the neutral resolution.

Similar tension gripped Bijoy Ekattor Hall yesterday evening. JCD activists staged a protest procession after their wall-writing programme was allegedly obstructed by Tareq Rahman Shakib, the Reading Room Secretary of the Hall Union.

JCD leaders alleged that Shakib, who was elected to the hall union with Shibir's backing, verbally abused junior activists and attempted to snatch a mobile phone from a JCD member while they were photographing their work.

Shakib, however, denied the allegations of seizing a phone.

"As an elected representative, I merely asked them not to write things that incite violence. The allegation of snatching a phone is a pure fabrication," he stated.

Writings on walls were seen, including slogans like "Gupto jader obosthan, tader bari Pakistan" (Those in hiding belong in Pakistan) and "Shibir = Gupto."

Amidst the binary struggle between JCD and Shibir, a third narrative appeared on campus walls. Activists of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti, the student wing of the NCP, were seen painting slogans such as "Songhat noy, songlap" (Dialogue, not conflict), calling for a de-escalation of the burgeoning hall-centric tensions.

Shahidullah Hall Provost Dr Md Aminul Islam Bhuiyan has called for a formal meeting today at 4:00pm to mediate the dispute.