Dhaka, August 9 (V7N) — Students of Dhaka University staged a late-night protest in front of the Vice Chancellor’s residence on Friday, voicing strong opposition to newly announced hall-level committees of Chhatra Dal, the student wing of the BNP. The protestors, including a significant number of female students, demanded the suspension of the committees and the expulsion of those appointed to leadership positions within the residential halls.

The protest began around 12:30 AM, when students marched from Mohsin Hall, passed Masterda Surya Sen Hall, and gathered at the central Raju Memorial Sculpture. Female students from Rokeya Hall and Shamsunnahar Hall reportedly broke open hall gates to join the procession. Eventually, the group moved en masse to the Vice Chancellor’s residence, where they staged a sit-in.

Chanting slogans such as “We won’t let July’s blood go in vain,” “One, two, three, four — no more hall politics,” “Direct action against guest rooms,” and “No more hall-based politics,” the demonstrators demanded an end to what they described as undemocratic and coercive political control within university halls.

Earlier, students had submitted written complaints to the provosts of Rokeya Hall, Sufia Kamal Hall, and Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall, urging them to take action against the Chhatra Dal committees. Rokeya Hall student Achhia Remija, speaking at the demonstration, said, “We’ve informed the hall administration and asked them to take steps, but we believe they won’t act. That’s why we’ve come directly to the Vice Chancellor.”

Students have been voicing concerns over political dominance in residence halls, particularly regarding the practice of allocating rooms based on political affiliations and the use of “guest rooms” as spaces for political indoctrination or intimidation. Protestors are also demanding structural reforms to ensure residential spaces remain free from political influence and safe for all students.

University authorities have not yet issued an official statement regarding the protest. Meanwhile, student representatives have announced that demonstrations will continue if their demands are not addressed promptly.

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