Protesting students demand the removal of a temporary court from madrasa grounds, threatening to intensify protests.
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
NEW DELHI — In Dhaka, West Bengal, students of Alia Madrasa have staged a protest outside their campus, voicing their anger over the alleged illegal occupation of madrasa land. The students are particularly upset about the establishment of a temporary court on the madrasa grounds. Despite heavy police presence and the intervention of the Armed Police Battalion (APBN), the protesters remain firm in their demands.
The unrest began on the night of January 8, 2025, when students gathered in large numbers to protest against the court’s setup. By the morning of January 9, the situation had escalated, with students refusing to leave the roads surrounding the madrasa. The students have warned that they will not vacate the area until their demands are met, and they have vowed to continue their protest until they get the land back.
“This land is ours, and we will not allow anyone to take it,” Nazir Ahmed, a protesting student, said in a statement. “We are sure that after the July Revolution, we will get our land back. We want a solution to this issue within the next hour, or we will take more drastic steps.” His words reflected the frustration and determination of the students, who are committed to standing their ground.
The central issue at the heart of the protests is the claim that the madrasa land has been illegally occupied by jail authorities. The students assert that a court has been functioning on the madrasa grounds for some time, a situation they believe is unjust and must be rectified. The students are demanding that the temporary court be removed immediately, as they contend that the land rightfully belongs to the madrasa.
Despite the Ministry of Law’s instructions for trials to begin on the madrasa grounds, the students have been obstructing both police and APBN personnel from entering the premises. Their actions indicate their resolve to protect their property and restore what they believe is rightfully theirs.
Local law enforcement officials are actively monitoring the situation. Babul Hussain, sub-inspector of the APBN Mirpur unit, stated that the local police were managing the protest, trying to maintain order while preventing any escalation. “We are in the process of assessing the situation,” Hussain explained. “The police are doing their best to keep things under control.”
Mahmudul Hasan, sub-inspector of Shahbagh police station, also spoke about the situation, confirming that the local authorities were unaware of the specific details of the protest. “We are waiting for the officer-in-charge to arrive and provide more information,” Hasan added, indicating that further developments were expected.
The protest has gained attention beyond the madrasa itself, with many in the local community expressing support for the students’ cause. The issue of land rights, particularly in religious and educational institutions, has often been a sensitive topic in the region. The students’ stand against the establishment of the court has sparked debates about the protection of such lands and the legal rights of institutions like Alia Madrasa.
While the students remain steadfast in their demands, it remains to be seen how the authorities will handle the ongoing protest. The students’ call for a resolution within the next hour underscores the growing tension in the area and the potential for further unrest if their concerns are not addressed swiftly.
As the protests continue, the situation remains fluid, with both the students and law enforcement maintaining their positions. The students have made it clear that they will escalate their protest if their demands are not met soon. Their resilience and determination suggest that this protest will not end quietly, and both local authorities and national figures will likely continue to monitor the developments closely.
For now, the protest at Alia Madrasa serves as a reminder of the importance of land rights and the role of educational institutions in shaping public discourse and action in West Bengal. The students’ call for justice for what they believe is their rightful land is likely to resonate in the coming days, as tensions continue to rise.