Since its founding in 1921, Dhaka University has been at the centre of political life in Bengal, Pakistan, and later Bangladesh. Madhur Canteen, named after Madhusudan Dey, Modhu da, was at the heart of this activity. From its early days under Dey's father, Aditya Chandra Dey, the canteen became a meeting point for students and intellectuals. It was a space where movements were born and leaders emerged.

From 1948 onward, Madhur Canteen saw many political movements:

During Operation Searchlight in 1971, the Pakistani military targeted the canteen and Madhusudan Dey. He and several family members were killed, and the building was nearly destroyed. Yet the canteen survived.

Madhur Canteen has hosted many figures who shaped Bangladesh.

Students practised songs, poetry, and theatre here. Debates about philosophy, international politics, and literature were held here alongside cups of tea and mishti. Eating on credit became a tradition. Students often repaid debts only after establishing themselves.

After independence, Arun Kumar Dey, Madhusudan's son, took over. He continued the canteen's traditions, remembering the stormy anti-Ershad protests of the 1980s and the debates between student leaders of different parties.

In 1995, a sculpture of Madhusudan Dey was installed in front of Madhur Canteen. Shamsur Rahman's long poem Madhusmriti is engraved nearby.

In December of last year, the university canteen bore witness to anti-India protests. On December 25, slogans were again raised during a large-scale procession at Dhaka University following Friday prayers. The demonstration was led by supporters of Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent figure in the Inquilab Mancho, whose assassination earlier that month sparked widespread unrest across the nation. The canteen at the heart of the university was also vandalised.

Today, the canteen still serves food and tea. Arun Kumar Dey begins his day by placing flowers before the portraits of his parents and operates Madhur Canteen until late evening, per The Dhaka Tribune.