The Dhaka University administration removed portraits of individuals convicted by the International Crimes Tribunal for their ‘war crimes’ from a 'Special Photo Exhibition' organised by the DU branch of Islami Chhatra Shibir, following objections from a group of students.
The students, mostly leaders and activists from left-leaning student organisations went out on demonstrations outside exhibition venue.
The exhibition, held to mark the anniversary of the fall of the Awami League government during the July 2024 mass uprising, sparked controversy due to the inclusion of images of Ghulam Azam, Matur Rahman Nizami, Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid, Delawar Hossain Sayeedi, Abdul Quader Molla, Mohammad Qamaruzzaman, Mir Qasem Ali and Salauddin Quader Chowdhury.
The removal occurred around 6:30 pm on Tuesday, August 5, in the presence of Assistant Proctor and Associate Professor Dr Rafiqul Islam.
Mazharul Islam, Human Resources Development Secretary of Shibir’s DU unit, consented to the removal during discussions with the university administration.
No untoward incidents were reported during the process, though leftist student groups raised slogans such as “Razakar and tyranny - united in militancy” and “Jamaat Shibir Razakar - leave Bengal at once” to protest Shibir’s actions.
Tensions escalated earlier around 6:00 pm when leftist students visited the exhibition inside the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) and demanded the removal of the portraits, accusing Shibir of attempting to “erase the history of 1971” by displaying images of figures they described as “anti-liberation” activists or Razakars.
While Shibir leaders initially remained silent at the administration’s request, they later responded with counter-slogans. By 8:00 pm, leftist students were still gathered at the TSC gate, continuing their protest, while Shibir ceased their sloganeering and proceeded with their program.
Mohiuddin Khan, General Secretary of Shibir’s DU branch, condemned the removal, saying, “Shahbagh has forced the administration to remove the pictures of national leaders who were victims of judicial murders displayed at the photo exhibition organised by Chhatra Shibir Dhaka University to mark the one-year anniversary of the fall of fascism. This has given a long life to the fascism of the Awami regime.”
He further asserted that Shibir’s political struggle against those responsible for “judicial murders” and those who “helped Hasina become Hasina” would continue.