Nafis Sidique Shatil
Since August 5, following a shift in Bangladesh’s political landscape, the influence of Islamic extremists in the country’s universities has grown significantly. In various universities and colleges, activists from banned militant organizations have been openly campaigning, promoting their ideology among ordinary students. There have also been reports of harassment of female students .
One of Bangladesh’s oldest and most prestigious institutions, Dhaka University, has recently seen an alarming rise in fundamentalist control. Extremists have been harassing women, entering female hostels, and gathering in large numbers. They have been targeting women based on their clothing choices, and many female students are now too scared to leave their hostels. These extremists have been coercing women into wearing Islamic attire and holding marches with religious slogans. Not long ago, the statue of a woman at the iconic Raju sculpture at Dhaka University was draped in a hijab, and a banner with religious inscriptions was hung nearby. These incidents point towards the growing rise of militancy in Bangladesh.
Dhaka University campus occupied by fundamentalists
At the Salimullah Medical College, several extremist militants caused women to leave their classrooms. Wearing black headscarves and wielding sticks, they barged into classrooms during lectures. At Jahangirnagar University, one of the country’s most renowned institutions, a group of fundamentalists demanded that the university’s name be changed to “Jahangirnagar Muslim University.” In addition, there have been incidents at various universities where teachers from the minority Hindu community were forced to resign.
Extremist militants flag at Dhaka Polytechnic Institute, one of the largest technical educational institutes in Bangladesh
Madhur Cantine is the most popular cantine of Dhaka University. The owner of Madhur Cantine, Shri Madhusudhan Dey (known as Madhubabu), was a follower of the Sanatan (Hindu) religion. Madhur Cantine was one of the key sites for Bangladesh’s independence movement during the 1970s. During the Liberation War, it played a pivotal role, and Madhusudhan Dey was a key figure in its establishment. Tragically, Madhubabu was killed at the beginning of the war on March 26, 1971. Madhur Cantine is historically significant as the center of student movements both before and after Bangladesh’s independence. In a recent act of disrespect towards the history of the Liberation War and Madhusudhan Dey, a shipment of beef was suddenly brought into Madhur Cantine, an establishment founded by a follower of the Sanatan religion.
The female statue of the Anti-Terror Raju sculpture was adorned with a hijab. On another occasion, the words of Islam were displayed in front of the Raju sculpture.
Since August 5, there have been several incidents of statue vandalism across the country. Extremists have been destroying statues and murals related to Bangladesh’s Father of the Nation, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and other figures related to the Liberation War. At Dhaka University, they have destroyed nearly all the statues in the Independence Square.
The radical militant group, Islami Chhatra Shibir, has expanded its operations in various universities, targeting members of the country’s largest student organization, Chhatra League. Reports have emerged of them torturing and even killing Chhatra League leaders and activists.
After August 5, militant organization Hizb ut Tahrir was seen campaigning in different parts of the country.
The first-ever Seerat Mahfil (gathering to celebrate the life of the Prophet) was organized at the Teacher-Student Center on the Dhaka University campus. The lecture was delivered by one of Bangladesh’s most controversial and extremist speakers, Sheikh Ahmadullah.
These events clearly indicate that a subtle conspiracy is underway to turn Bangladesh’s universities into breeding grounds for Islamic militants. Gradually, terrorists are trying to take control of the universities. Their plan is to destroy the education system and push the future generations of the country into darkness. If the growth of Islamic terrorism is not stopped immediately, the consequences will be catastrophic.
Nafis Sidique Shatil, Reporter, The Voice