A Peace agreement to prevent clashes among college students!

An unusual piece of news caught my attention. In an effort to prevent clashes among students of Dhaka College, City College, and Ideal College—located in the New Market, Science Laboratory, and Central Road areas of the capital—a "mutual understanding agreement" is set to be signed. Following discussions among the principals of these three colleges on April 23, law enforcement officials suggested that if these three institutions, along with two other colleges in the Dhanmondi area, entered into such an agreement, it could help avoid future conflicts.

Masud Alam, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of the Ramna Division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), told reporters, “We have initially decided that, to prevent future clashes among students, they will sign a mutual understanding agreement among themselves. A WhatsApp group has already been created, where law enforcement officials responsible for the area and senior college authorities are included. Relevant information will be exchanged there. In addition to the three colleges, Bir Shreshtha Munshi Abdur Rouf Public School and College and Bir Shreshtha Noor Mohammad Public School and College will also be included. We hope that adherence to this agreement will prevent future conflicts.” (Ittefaq, April 24, 2025)

On April 22, a minor incident escalated into violent clashes between students of Dhaka College and City College, turning the area into a battlefield. At least 50 people, including students from both colleges, pedestrians, journalists, and police officers, were injured. At one point, some Dhaka College students even removed the City College signboard. A similar incident had occurred on September 10 last year when a clash between Ideal College students led to Dhaka College students removing Ideal College's signboard, images of which went viral on social media.

But the real question is: what message do these incidents send? That college and university students are engaging in violent clashes with one another and that preventing this requires formal agreements—is there anything more shameful? What values were instilled in these students at school, at home, and in their current educational institutions? When students habitually engage in clashes, vandalize vehicles on the streets, and attack small business owners and passersby, can the teachers absolve themselves of responsibility? What role is the college administration playing? Students who grow up in such a violent atmosphere—what future contributions can they make to Bangladesh's development, or even to their own lives? Are these conflicts really only about romantic disputes, or are there deeper causes? Are only students involved, or are outsiders, especially rival political groups, also stoking the flames?

According to media reports, on April 21, some City College students allegedly assaulted a Dhaka College student and took indecent photos of him. In retaliation, Dhaka College students gathered the next morning and attacked City College. City College students later regrouped and counterattacked. Both sides wielded sticks and threw bricks at each other. The police intervened by dispersing the two groups and, when necessary, used tear gas. Around 2:30 PM, the two sides clashed again, even attacking police officers trying to restore order. Meanwhile, some Dhaka College students removed a City College signboard and vandalized the main gate. Prior to this, on April 15, students from both institutions had also clashed, pelting each other with bricks.

A report by Samakal on April 23 noted that in the past eight months alone, students of Dhaka College and City College clashed at least 11 times. After the most recent violence, City College’s acting principal, F.M. Mobarak Hossain, said, “A group of thugs, posing as students, launched a sudden attack on City College. During Ramadan, the college's property was also attacked. We call on the National University, the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, and the Dhaka District Administration to take action against the perpetrators.”

Last October, college students in Dhaka caused an incident so severe that it may be rare not just in Bangladesh, but worldwide. It began with allegations of "wrongful medical treatment" leading to a student’s death. Thousands of students attacked Dhaka National Medical College in Old Dhaka. Students from nearby Sohrawardi College and Kabi Nazrul College joined the fray, resulting in large-scale vandalism. In retaliation, Mahbubur Rahman Molla College in Jatrabari was attacked the following day, turning Demra into a battleground. Earlier, students from the Textile University (BUTEX) and a neighboring Polytechnic Institute clashed violently in Tejgaon, injuring at least 30.

Why These Clashes?
1. It’s not just inter-college clashes. Dhaka College students have also frequently clashed with shopkeepers around New Market, often over disputes about pricing, which sometimes escalate into major fights. Protests over disrespectful behavior towards female shoppers have also sparked violence.

2. On November 19 last year, a scuffle broke out between Dhaka College and City College students over boarding a bus near Science Laboratory. The next day, City College students vandalized two Dhaka College buses, prompting retaliatory vandalism.

3. Investigations reveal that while there are multiple causes for the conflicts among Dhaka College, City College, and Central Ideal College students, most fights originate over romantic relationships. Since Dhaka College has no female students, their students often date those from City and Ideal Colleges. Disputes over these relationships frequently escalate into violence.

4. Another factor is student politics. Political divisions between students often fuel these clashes. Because the colleges are adjacent, even small incidents like boarding a bus or walking on the sidewalk can spark conflict, driven by ego and a desire for dominance.

5. A segment of the students view fights and violence as displays of power. Meanwhile, the failure of college administrations to take appropriate action contributes to the problem.

6. Students frequently gather around their campuses over various issues, sometimes leading to spontaneous clashes.

7. Social media plays a significant role in spreading rumors and inciting anger, often leading to violence.

Even the police have grown frustrated by the frequency of these clashes. Ramna Division’s DC Masud Alam told the media, “We believe these clashes are no longer isolated incidents but have become a regular problem. A permanent solution is necessary. We don’t want anyone to die or suffer serious harm. We are trying to bring all the colleges together to find a lasting solution.” (Bonik Barta, April 23, 2025)

But how can a permanent solution be achieved? Will a simple "mutual understanding agreement" suffice? Proper coordination among college authorities, law enforcement, and political parties—something that has been lacking—is essential. It is a positive sign that on April 23, college principals met with police officers to discuss the problem, an initiative not seen before. However, these agreements feel more like ceasefire treaties between warring nations or between governments and militant groups. That college students need formal peace treaties to stop fighting—is there anything more disgraceful?

Thus, merely signing agreements is not enough. It is critical to diagnose the real causes behind these clashes. Without proper examination, offering "paracetamol" three times a day won’t cure a deep-seated disease like cancer.

Secondly, since there are allegations that external forces are involved in fueling student violence, this too must be thoroughly investigated. If political elements are involved, the issue must be resolved politically.

Finally, it must be clearly conveyed—to students by teachers and, even more importantly, by parents—that educational institutions are not platforms for violence, dominance, or displays of power. Parents must be vigilant about what their children are doing at college, who they are associating with, and how their sense of values is being shaped.

Amin Al Rashid is a journalist and writer.