The protest began around 7:30 p.m. near the university’s residential halls.
Students accused Jubo Dal activists of attacking businessman Shohag in front of Mitford Hospital, claiming he was killed after refusing to pay extortion money.
Some protestors said the attackers continued to strike Shohag with stones even after he collapsed. A few claimed the assailants danced atop his body after the assault.
“The people and students of Bangladesh will not forgive these killers,” one participant said.
Student Voices Call Out Political Violence
AB Zubayer, a Dhaka University student, delivered one of the most pointed remarks.
“Since 5 August, we’ve been working to rebuild this country,” he said. “But there’s one political force standing in the way. Shohag was murdered simply for refusing to pay up. Are we really heading back to the Stone Age?”
He went on to accuse BNP leaders and activists of widespread criminal behavior.
“They are extorting, raping, and killing. Bangladesh has become a haven for criminals,” Zubayer said. He also referenced alleged instructions from BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, suggesting a pattern of organized misconduct.
Warnings Directed at Political Leadership
Zubayer issued a direct warning to Tarique Rahman:
“Control your party. Don’t repeat the mistakes of the Awami League. If you do, your end will look the same.”
Student Leaders Demand Accountability
President of the Bangladesh Chhatra Adhikar Parishad, Bin Yamin Molla, said that student activism had remained consistent through successive governments.
“Students protested killings during the Awami League’s rule. And they’re protesting again now,” he said.
He claimed BNP had failed to rein in its own members and urged immediate legal action.
“In the past ten months alone, 100 people have died at the hands of BNP-backed violence,” Molla alleged. “We demand justice for each one.”
He also reiterated the group’s stance that national elections must be preceded by reforms to prevent further bloodshed.
The streets are quiet, but the students are not. They’ve delivered a clear ultimatum to the police: take real action against those responsible, or this is far from over. What the police do now will decide everything.
