The campus corridors remain unusually quiet after the Eid holidays. Most public universities across Bangladesh are still shut, and even those that have reopened are seeing a sparse student presence. But while academic routines are slow to resume, a different kind of energy is rippling through the streets of Dhaka—and private university students are at the heart of it.

In solidarity with the Global Strike for Gaza, students from private institutions have emerged as an unexpected yet commanding force. On Monday, April 7, protests erupted across the capital, echoing similar movements worldwide. From Merul Badda and Bashundhara to Natun Bazar, Science Lab, and Mohakhali—students, primarily from private universities, led the charge.

What’s striking is not just the turnout, but the organisation. Acting almost like a `shadow power,` these students have orchestrated protests, human chains, and rallies with precision, intensity, and purpose.

A new vanguard of student activism

At the forefront of this mobilisation is the Private University Students Alliance of Bangladesh (PUSAB)—an umbrella platform linking students across 117 private institutions. Under its guidance, the April 7 protest took shape as a day-long display of solidarity with Palestine.

From morning to afternoon, students swarmed key intersections in Dhaka, demanding justice and showing support for Gaza. Their message was loud and clear: Bangladesh’s private university students are not apolitical, nor are they silent.

Raihan Kabir, a computer science student at BRAC University, summed it up: "People used to say we’re selfish. That private students don’t take to the streets. We proved them wrong during the July mass uprising, and we’re proving it again now. We’re not afraid to fight for what’s right."

Rampura to Natun Bazar: A triangle of resistance

Rampura, Badda and Natun Bazar have quietly become epicenters of student-led movements. After the July quota reform protests, students from BRAC University, East West University, and Canadian University of Bangladesh held firm in these areas.

This time was no different.

From 9:00am, BRAC University students gathered in Merul Badda, forming a human chain that later turned into a protest rally. East West students followed suit in Aftabnagar, circling the Badda-Rampura road with chants, placards, and purpose. Students from the Canadian University added to the momentum, mobilising crowds and amplifying their presence.

Sadika Binte Shafin, a fifth-semester student at Canadian University, emphasised the movement’s clarity of purpose: "We’re here for justice. For human rights. And while we’ll continue to fight for what’s right, we won’t let anyone exploit our efforts. Today, we’ve shown that private university students are on the right side of history."

Bashundhara to Natun Bazar: The Kuril Corridor ignites

Dhaka’s Kuril corridor—from Bashundhara Gate to Natun Bazar—is now a protest hotspot, thanks to its proximity to North South University (NSU), Independent University of Bangladesh (IUB), AIUB, and UIU.

These universities played a vital role during the July uprising, when even law enforcement struggled to contain the student-led momentum. This time, their students blocked roads, marched to the U.S. Embassy, and made it clear that their activism wasn’t limited to domestic issues.

Mamun Hossain of NSU said: "On July 24, we forced a dictator to flee. Today, we’re standing with Palestine. Tomorrow, we’ll be wherever truth demands us to be. We are the future."

Arefin Nafis of IUB added: "People questioned our presence in the streets. Now they can see—we’re here, and we’re leading."

Beyond the city centre: A national movement

In Ashulia, a cluster of universities—including Daffodil International University, Manarat International University, Eastern University, and City University—also joined the strike, boycotting classes and organizing demonstrations.

Protests flared in other zones too:

Stamford University students mobilised on Bailey Road.

ULAB made its presence felt in Mohammadpur.

Uttara University, Prime Asia, and International Standard University rallied in Banani and Uttara.

Prime University in Mirpur helped anchor a northwestern flank of the movement.

These campuses may be geographically scattered, but when the call to action comes, they converge like clockwork—fast, loud, and unified.

Rewriting the narrative

There’s long been a narrative that private university students are insulated, privileged, and apathetic. But movements like these have shattered that perception.

A sociology professor from East West University, speaking anonymously, pointed out how media bias skews the narrative: "Dhaka University sneezes, and the media catches a cold. But private university students have been sustaining movements for years, even if they don’t get the same attention."

He noted a shift, though. With more private university graduates entering journalism and public discourse, the imbalance in visibility is slowly evening out.

A generation ready to lead

Sakin Shadab, a BRAC University student and executive member of PUSAB, believes this isn’t just a moment—it’s a movement.

"We don’t care about credit. We care about justice. Whether it`s national or international, we’re ready to lead."

He added that PUSAB’s growing network isn’t limited to Dhaka. Students from Rajshahi, Sylhet, Chattogram, and beyond are joining in.

"We’ve built a chain of command. If this trend continues, we’ll not just be in the streets—we’ll be in the rooms where decisions are made. We’ll run this country."

A changing tide

Even the establishment is taking note. UGC Chairman Professor Dr SMA Faiz, former VC of Dhaka University, acknowledged the critical role private university students played in July’s uprising: "Public university students return home when halls close. But private students stay back—they have their messes and apartments. When the movement needed bodies on the street, they were there."

He dismissed the notion that private students are apolitical: "They’ve proven that they’re not just book-smart. They have moral clarity, courage, and commitment. The July 24 movement will inspire them for years to come."

In a city brimming with contradictions, where power often silences protest, it is the students—once dismissed as passive—who are now steering the conversation. And they’re not done yet.