Dhaka University Students Burn Effigy of Narendra Modi in Protest

On December 16, 2025, students from Dhaka University organized a protest and burned an effigy of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of “interfering” in Bangladesh’s Victory Day observances. The protest, led by the 'Anti-imperialist Students' banner, took place at 4:30 PM in front of the Madhu's Cantine on the university campus.

The protest was a response to Modi’s social media posts marking Bangladesh's Victory Day as "India’s historical victory." The students condemned his remarks, labeling them an insult to the bloodshed and sacrifices made by Bangladeshis in 1971. The protestors also criticized Modi’s leadership, referring to him as the "butcher of Gujarat."

Riyadul Islam Jubah, a Dhaka University student, took to Facebook to announce the protest and the planned effigy burning. He also invited artists to draw a distorted image of Modi to highlight the protest.

Earlier in the day, Modi had tweeted and posted on Facebook, commemorating India's role in the 1971 war, referring to the victory as a national achievement. The post sparked strong backlash from Bangladeshis, who viewed it as a direct insult to their sovereignty and the significance of the Victory Day.