Tensions erupted at Dhaka University’s Senate Building on Tuesday afternoon as leaders and activists of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal launched a sharp verbal and physical confrontation against Vice-Chancellor Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan, accusing him of fostering a "Jamaat-leaning administration".
The accusation came after voting to Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) elections ended on Tuesday.
The incident occurred around 5:30 pm during a meeting at the Senate building, when a group of Chhatra Dal leaders entered and created a commotion, directly challenging the VC over allegations that activists from Islami Chhatra Shibir, the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, were being allowed to operate on campus with impunity.
The students accused the administration of permitting Shibir leaders and outsiders to gather on university premises, undermining the neutrality of the electoral environment.
In the heated exchange, they repeatedly questioned Professor Khan, demanding action against those they identified as Shibir members.
The situation escalated when Ganesh Chandra Roy, president of Dhaka University’s Chhatra Dal unit, slammed the table in front of the VC and declared, “You are running a Jamaati administration!”
The remark was met with loud cheers from the student group.
In response, Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan asserted that he was an independent academic with no political affiliation.
“I do not belong to any party, nor have I ever engaged in politics,” he said, appealing for calm and institutional respect.
However, the students remained defiant. Rakibul Islam Rakib, central president of Chhatra Dal, announced in front of the gathering: “We are officially branding this administration as a Jamaat-backed one from today. We will no longer cooperate with you. If you fail to take action against these elements, our non-cooperation will continue.”