Students of 7 colleges block Science Lab, demanding separate university
They announce another blockade starting at 9am Wednesday
Students from seven colleges affiliated with Dhaka University blocked the Science Lab intersection for five hours today (29 October), calling for the establishment of an independent university for their institutions.
The demonstration began around 12:15pm, halting traffic and causing considerable congestion in the area.
Eyewitnesses reported that the students gathered at Dhaka College around 11:00am before marching to the intersection to voice their demands.
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"For the last 45 minutes, students have been chanting slogans for a separate autonomous university for the seven affiliated colleges. Vehicular movement is halted at the Science Lab intersection, and senior police officials are also here," said Shah Mostafa Tarikuzzaman, assistant commissioner of the Dhanmondi Zone, at the spot.
He added that efforts were underway to encourage students to return to their classes.
The students are demanding the immediate creation of a commission to establish an independent university for their colleges, a draft proposal from the commission within 30 days, and assurances from Dhaka University that no session delays will occur until the new university is established.
After the protest ended at 5pm, the students announced another blockade starting at 9am today, reports Prothom Alo.
Abdur Rahman, spokesperson for the protesters, told reporters, "Our movement will continue until the University Transformation Commission is formed. We will block the road again tomorrow (today) from 9am to 5pm. If the government contacts us during this time, we will update everyone later."
On 26 October, the students demanded that the commission be formed within three days. They warned that if their demands were not met, they would take stricter action. When the deadline passed on 28 October, they decided to take to the streets.
In February 2017, seven government colleges in Dhaka became affiliated with the University of Dhaka.
These colleges include Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Government Shahid Suhrawardy College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Begum Badrunnesa Government Women's College, Government Bangla College in Mirpur, and Government Titumir College.
Before this change, the colleges were part of the National University.
Since their affiliation with Dhaka University, these colleges have faced several issues. To address the educational and administrative problems, a committee was formed on October 24, led by the additional secretary (Colleges) of the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education.
