Mob vandalism sweep univs: Halls renamed, symbols of Mujib and Hasina targeted

A wave of student protests has erupted across universities in Bangladesh, targeting symbols associated with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her family, including renaming residential halls and vandalizing murals. 

The unrest, fueled by calls to eradicate fascism and remove remnants of the Awami League�s legacy, has intensified six months after the mass uprising that led to Hasina�s resignation and subsequent refuge in India.  

The protests gained momentum after a February 5 Facebook livestream by the banned Bangladesh Students' League (BSL), featuring a speech by Sheikh Hasina. In response, Hasnat Abdullah, convener of the Anti-Discrimination Students' Movement, called for the eradication of fascism, sparking widespread calls for a "Bulldozer March" and a "March to Dhanmondi 32" on social media.  
Since then, students at multiple universities have taken to the streets, demanding the removal of symbols linked to the Awami League and renaming halls and institutions.  

Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University  

At Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, student Shahjalal Ahmed Jony was seriously injured while attempting to break the nameplate of Bangamata Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall. Dr. Habiba Sultana, the hall provost, remarked, �The same situation is unfolding everywhere. It will continue like this. We have nothing to say about it.�  

Chittagong University (CU)  

At Chittagong University, students vandalized a mural of Sheikh Hasina and the boat symbol at Sheikh Hasina Hall. Dr. Tanvir Mohammad Hayder Arif, a university official, stated that a three-member investigation committee has been formed to submit a report within three days.  

Rajshahi University (RU) 
 
Rajshahi University has seen the most extensive renaming efforts, with four residential halls and one school undergoing changes. Students renamed Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall to Bijoy-24 Hall, Shaheed AHM Kamaruzzaman Hall to Shaheed Ali Raihan Hall, Sheikh Hasina Hall to Fatima Al-Fihriya Hall, and Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Hall to Nawab Faizun Nesa Chowdhurani Hall. Additionally, Sheikh Russel Model School was renamed Riya Ghosh Model School.  

Dhaka University (DU)  

At Dhaka University, students attempted to rename two halls. Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall saw protests demanding the removal of its nameplate, while Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall was renamed Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam Hall after collecting mass signatures.  

Jagannath University (JnU)  

Students at Jagannath University pressured the administration to remove the nameplate of Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall, the university�s only female dormitory. In response, the administration formed a renaming committee led by Treasurer Professor Dr. Sabina Sharmin.  

Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR)  

In one of the most extreme actions, students at Begum Rokeya University used a bulldozer to destroy a mural of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman late at night.  

Patuakhali University of Science and Technology (PSTU)  

Patuakhali University had already set a precedent last year by renaming Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall to "Bijoy-24 Hall," inspiring similar actions across other institutions.  

The protests show no signs of abating, with social media playing a pivotal role in mobilizing students. The movement reflects deep-seated frustration with the political legacy of Sheikh Hasina and her family, as well as a broader demand for change in the country�s governance and institutional frameworks.  

As the unrest spreads, the fate of these halls, murals, and symbols remains uncertain. The student-led movement raises critical questions about the future of political symbolism in Bangladesh and how far this wave of protests will go in reshaping the nation�s cultural and political landscape.  

With universities becoming battlegrounds for ideological and political expression, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining the trajectory of this unprecedented student movement.