Lockdown Looms: Private Universities Shift Online Amid Awami League’s Chaotic Call

Widespread curiosity and concern have gripped Bangladesh ahead of the ousted Awami League’s announced “lockdown” program scheduled for November 13. Although the party’s political activities were officially banned following the July mass uprising — during which it was accused of committing human rights violations — it has continued to conduct activities online. Recently, sporadic incidents of arson and cocktail explosions have been reported in various locations, sparking renewed security fears among city residents.

In response to the rising unrest, July Oikya announced sit-in and protest demonstrations across key points of the country, denouncing what it termed “administrative excesses and growing anarchy.” Meanwhile, eight like-minded parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolon Bangladesh, reaffirmed their firm stance against chaos. On Tuesday night, under the banner of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU), general students held a protest march on the Dhaka University campus.

Earlier, Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury confirmed that law enforcement agencies have “taken firm positions” in anticipation of the Awami League’s announced “Dhaka Lockdown” on November 13.

Amid the prevailing uncertainty, several private universities in the capital have decided to suspend physical classes and examinations on November 12 and 13, citing “security concerns.”

On November 11, Tuesday, the universities issued separate notices informing students of a temporary switch to online classes. Reports also indicated that many universities did not release their transportation fleets on that day.

Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology, in an emergency notice, stated that all classes and examinations scheduled for November 11 (after 1 p.m.) and the following two days — November 12 and 13 — have been postponed. “A review of the situation will be made on the evening of November 13, and further decisions regarding November 14 will be announced accordingly,” the notice read. It also mentioned that “all shuttle and route bus services will remain suspended until further notice,” although academic and administrative offices would remain open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on November 12 and 13.

North South University (NSU), located in the Bashundhara residential area, announced that “due to unforeseen circumstances, all classes on November 13 will be held online.” The administration assured that teaching would continue following the regular schedule.

Similarly, the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) suspended all shuttle bus services indefinitely, citing student safety. The administration noted that “recent attacks on university buses” — including an incident the previous night in which a Shanto-Mariam University bus was set ablaze in Dhanmondi — prompted the decision. ULAB authorities urged students, teachers, and staff to “avoid unnecessary travel” and “prioritize personal safety.”

East West University also declared that all classes on November 12 and 13 would be conducted online. “No examinations will be held during this period,” the university said, adding that new schedules would be announced later. It further instructed that if “internet disruptions occur, respective teachers may arrange make-up classes with departmental approval.” The notice clarified that university offices would remain open on November 12 but operate remotely on November 13.

American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) announced that “make-up classes scheduled for Thursday, November 13, will be conducted online,” and that limited administrative operations would continue until conditions normalize.

However, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sajjat Ali urged residents not to panic over what he called the “so-called program.” He explained that “a banned political group has been spreading misinformation on social media and attempting to destabilize law and order.” According to him, members of this group “have been staging flash processions, detonating crude bombs, and setting vehicles ablaze to spread fear among the public.”

“The DMP remains vigilant to curb these malicious activities,” the commissioner affirmed, adding that between October 1 and November 11, a total of 552 individuals connected to such subversive acts were arrested. “Most of them came from outside Dhaka,” he said, noting that investigators are analyzing CCTV footage to identify those responsible for the explosions and arson attacks.