Clashes again between Dhaka and City College students

Staff Correspondent. Dhaka, August 21, 2025, Thursday.

There has been another clash between students of Dhaka College and Dhaka City College in the capital’s Science Lab area. The incident took place around 11:30 am on Thursday (August 21, 2025), when some students from the Science Lab area were moving towards Dhaka College in an armed manner. Journalists were stopped when they tried to photograph the incident. While the exact cause of the clash and details of the damage are still unclear, the incident indicates a continuation of the long-standing rivalry and tension between the two institutions.

Clashes between students of Dhaka College and City College are not new. In the past few years, there have been multiple clashes between students of these two colleges, which have led to deterioration of law and order situation in the Science Lab area, traffic congestion and impact on local public life. Some of the notable incidents include:

On 20 November 2024, a clash broke out between students of Dhaka College and City College in the Science Lab area over a bus fare dispute. Students from both sides attacked each other over allegations that two Dhaka College buses had been vandalised. At least 15 people were injured in the incident, 11 of whom were admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Police and army used tear gas and sound grenades to control the situation.

On 15 April 2025, clashes broke out between City College students and Dhaka College students under the Science Lab footover bridge. Several shops were vandalized and several students were injured in the incident. Local businessmen suffered heavy losses.

The root cause of clashes between students of Dhaka College and City College often stems from trivial incidents. Disputes over boarding a bus, personal enmity, or attempts by one group to dominate another can trigger the clashes. The fact that armed students advanced on August 21 suggests that it may have been a planned or premeditated incident. However, the exact cause is still unknown.

The long-standing rivalry and territorial dominance between the students of the two colleges played a significant role in the clash. The geographical location of the Science Lab area, where the two colleges are located in close proximity, further complicated the tension. In addition, the lack of effective preventive measures on the part of the college administration and law enforcement agencies is one of the reasons for the recurrence of such incidents.

In previous incidents, the police and army have used tear gas and sound grenades to control the situation. However, these measures often serve as temporary solutions. Long-term solutions require a coordinated effort between the college administration, student leaders, and local administration.

Such clashes disrupt local public life, cause traffic jams, and harm business owners. The safety of students and the learning environment are also affected. The incidents of obstructing journalists raise questions about media freedom, which can hinder transparent investigations into incidents.

The repeated clashes between students of Dhaka College and City College have become a threat to the peaceful environment of the educational institution and the local public life. A coordinated effort by the college administration, student representatives, and law enforcement agencies is necessary to resolve this problem. It is necessary to identify the root causes of the clashes and find a long-term solution through dialogue and mediation, so that such incidents do not recur in the future.