Jinnah, Ghulam Azam photos trampled in DU protest
Dhaka University Protest Follows Display of Jinnah Photograph at DUCSU Museum
Thebangladaily.com – A dispute over historical representation at Dhaka University intensified on Tuesday when a group of students placed photographs of Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Ghulam Azam on the ground and stepped on them in protest.
The demonstration took place at the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union, widely known as DUCSU, after a photograph of Jinnah had been displayed at the DUCSU museum. Students from the 2025-26 academic session staged the protest around noon, placing the images at the entrance to the student union building as well as inside the museum.
The protesters objected to any recognition within the university of figures they view as having stood against the Bangla language and the interests of the country. Their action reflected a broader argument over which political and historical figures should be represented in university spaces, particularly at an institution closely associated with student activism and public debate.
Complaint Submitted to University Authorities
DUCSU subsequently submitted a complaint to the university’s vice-chancellor concerning the incident. Representatives of the student union also discussed the matter with the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Administration.
At the same time, DUCSU representatives criticised the university administration for permitting Jinnah’s photograph to be exhibited at the museum. They argued that greater caution was needed when displaying personalities connected in public memory to opposition to the Bangla language.
The disagreement emerged on Monday, when the photograph of Muhammad Ali Jinnah appeared at the DUCSU museum. It was later removed. The museum was also allegedly vandalised following the controversy.
The sequence of events has placed attention on both the museum display and the response to it. The episode involves questions of campus order, the protection of university facilities and the handling of historically sensitive material in a public educational setting.
Three Committees Formed
In response, the Dhaka University administration formed three investigation committees. The panels will examine separate matters connected to DUCSU: its “Teacher Evaluation” website, the “Nirbhik July” memorial, and the exhibition of disputed photographs of Jinnah and student leader Abdul Malek at the museum.
Each committee has been directed to submit a report and recommendations within seven working days. The inquiries are expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the display of the photographs and the subsequent events at the museum.
The decision to create multiple committees indicates that the university is treating the dispute as more than a single disagreement over an image. The investigations will cover the museum controversy alongside other DUCSU-related issues, bringing several campus concerns under formal administrative review.
A Debate Over Historical Space
The protest highlights the sensitivity of historical symbols at Dhaka University. Campus institutions, memorials and museum displays can carry strong meaning for students because they are often seen as reflecting values that extend beyond the physical space where they are placed.
For the students who protested, the inclusion of Jinnah’s photograph was unacceptable because of their stated belief that he was opposed to the Bangla language and national interests. Their decision to include a photograph of Ghulam Azam in the demonstration underscored the political and historical message they sought to convey.
For university authorities, the immediate challenge is to assess the incident while maintaining a safe environment for students and protecting DUCSU facilities. The alleged vandalism of the museum adds another dimension to the matter, as the investigation will need to distinguish between the question of what should be displayed and the actions that followed the display.
The controversy also places DUCSU in a difficult position. Its representatives have raised objections to the original decision to show Jinnah’s image, while the organisation has also lodged a complaint over the protest incident. That dual response illustrates the competing concerns surrounding the episode: disagreement over historical representation and concern over conduct within a university institution.
The findings of the three committees may shape how the university handles similar disputes in the future. Their recommendations could address procedures for museum exhibits, oversight of DUCSU initiatives and responses to controversial events on campus.
Until the reports are submitted, the central facts remain clear: Jinnah’s photograph was displayed at the DUCSU museum on Monday, it was later removed, and students staged a protest involving photographs of Jinnah and Ghulam Azam the following day. The university administration has now begun a formal review of the connected issues.
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