In recent days, several educational institutions in Bangladesh have witnessed violent clashes among students, sparking nationwide concerns about campus safety. These incidents draw parallels to the early unrest in Afghanistan, where educational conflicts symbolized deeper societal issues. Could these events be warning signs of a larger socio-political crisis?
The “Super Sunday” Unrest
On Sunday, November 24, what began as a pre-announced protest quickly escalated into chaos. During the pre-announced ‘Super Sunday’ program, students of some colleges including Molla College vandalized Dhaka National Medical and nearby Suhrawardy College. This disruption forced authorities to suspend the Honours first-year exams at Suhrawardy College.
Retaliation came swiftly. The following day, students from Suhrawardy College and Kabi Nazrul Government College stormed Molla College, leading to clashes that injured at least 20 individuals. Starting from 10 a.m. Monday, students armed with sticks gathered near Bahadur Shah Park, ultimately marching towards Ray Shaheb Bazaar to join peers from other colleges.
The situation spiraled further as students stormed campuses, chanting slogans, and engaging in acts of violence. Eyewitnesses reported tense confrontations, with students hurling bricks and blocking roads. Police intervention was required to contain the situation.
Comparing the Bangladesh Unrest with Taliban’s Early Movements
The violent incidents in Bangladeshi colleges echo the Taliban’s early tactics in Afghanistan. In the 1990s, the Taliban began asserting control over schools and colleges, attacking institutions to establish dominance and enforce their ideologies. While Bangladesh’s unrest lacks an ideological component, the parallels in youth-led violence and institutional attacks are striking.
In Afghanistan, the Taliban targeted educational institutions to destabilize communities and assert power, often disrupting exams, destroying schools, and instilling fear among students and teachers. The recent events in Bangladesh, though seemingly isolated, hint at deeper societal frustrations among students, which could be exploited by extremist groups if left unaddressed.
Escalating Tensions in Dhaka Colleges
Beyond the Molla College-Suhrawardy College clash, Dhaka College and City College students also engaged in violent altercations. On November 22, disputes over boarding a bus turned into a full-blown brawl at the Science Laboratory area. The next day, retaliation ensued as Dhaka College students vandalized City College, causing major disruptions in the area.
By the afternoon, the conflict spilled onto the streets, with students throwing stones at each other, leading to significant injuries and paralyzing traffic in Dhaka’s busy Science Lab area. Police intervention quelled the immediate violence, but the tension remains palpable.
Institutional Responses and Public Concerns
College authorities, including the principal of Kabi Nazrul Government College, Professor Dr. Md. Habibur Rahman, attempted to mediate the situation, urging students to remain calm. “Yesterday’s attacks involved infiltrators, and today we suspect the same,” he stated, promising to bring the perpetrators to justice.
While authorities are trying to contain the violence, the underlying causes remain unresolved. Social unrest among students, fueled by inadequate infrastructure, academic pressure, and socioeconomic disparities, can snowball into larger crises if left unchecked.
Lessons from Afghanistan
The similarities between the Bangladeshi student unrest and the Taliban’s early movements in Afghanistan serve as a wake-up call. Extremism often takes root in environments of chaos, discontent, and broken institutions. The youth’s frustrations, if ignored, could become fertile ground for destructive ideologies.
Bangladesh must address these issues with urgency—strengthening campus security, fostering dialogue between students and authorities, and addressing systemic inequalities. Afghanistan’s history warns of the dangers of neglecting youth grievances. To prevent a similar trajectory, Bangladesh must act now to safeguard its educational institutions and future generations.
Conclusion
The recent clashes in Bangladeshi colleges are a symptom of deeper societal tensions. While the comparisons to Afghanistan may seem alarming, they offer valuable lessons. Bangladesh has the opportunity to learn from history and invest in resolving the root causes of student unrest before they escalate into a national crisis.