New student group launches amid chaos, clashes

A new student organisation, the Bangladesh Democratic Student Union (BDSU), unfurled its committee amid a storm of uproar and violence at Dhaka University’s Madhu’s Canteen on Wednesday afternoon.

Sporting the slogan “Education Unity Liberation,” the group’s debut was overshadowed by protests and a clash that left several injured.

The central committee named Abu Baker Majumder as convener and Zahid Ahsan as member secretary, with Touhid Mohammad Siam as senior joint convener, Rifat Rashid as senior member secretary, Tahmid Al Muddassir Chowdhury as principal organiser, and Ashrefah Khatun as spokesperson. 

A Dhaka University wing followed, tapping Abdul Quader as convener, Mohir Alam as member secretary, Limon Mahmud Hasan as senior joint convener, Al Amin Sarkar as senior member secretary, Hasib Al Islam as main organizer, and Rafia Rehnuma Hridi as spokesperson.

The announcement sparked chaos. Private university students and Rifat Rashid’s supporters disrupted the event, heckling inside and out. 

As the committee launched a procession, tensions boiled over into a physical clash between rival factions, injuring multiple participants. 

The turbulent rollout underscores the high stakes and divisions swirling around BDSU’s emergence on campus.