United News of Bangladesh

The Ministry of Education has said that there is no justification for the ongoing movement demanding a fixed timeline for the transformation of Government Titumir College into a university.A special committee, led by the Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC), is working towards the establishment of a separate university comprising the seven historic colleges of Dhaka. The issue of Titumir College is being given special consideration as part of these efforts, the ministry said in a press release on Saturday. Titumir College students block roads at Mohakhali The committee has already initiated discussions with student representatives from Titumir College and the other six colleges regarding their concerns. The Ministry said the government’s main focus is on improving educational opportunities and standards for these institutions and possible alternatives in this regard will be considered by the government. In response to the Titumir College student-movement demands for a fixed timeline for the transformation, the Ministry of Education made it clear that such a demand is not justified. The Ministry further requested all involved in the movement to remain patient. It also called on the protesters to avoid actions that could disrupt public life or interfere with the normal educational activities of the college’s students. Press Secretary urges Titumir College students to remain calm amid protests The government reiterated its commitment to being aware and sympathetic to the legitimate demands of teachers and students at all levels.

Students of seven colleges have lifted their protest proprammes, including cording off New Market police station, following an assurance that their demands will be addressed. The decision to withdraw came from a meeting held between Home Affairs, Information, Broadcasting Advisers Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Nahid Islam, and the students in Dhaka on Tuesday. Moinul Islam, a Dhaka College student who attended the meeting, said, “The government is positive towards our six-point demand.” He also said they earlier issued a 24-hour ultimatum that no buses of Dhaka University would be allowed to move in front of seven colleges and the New Market police station be besieged, if their demands were not met within the deadline. Their demands also included withdrawal of New Market Police Station’s officer-in-charge, and Assistant Commissioner of the zone, taking action against them, resignation of DU Pro-VC (academic), seeking mercy by the Dhaka University for distasteful comment on Eden students by DU students. Read: DU suspends Monday's exams, classes following clashes One of the demands--separation of the seven colleges from Dhaka -- has already been met. At around 10pm on Sunday night, students of Dhaka College tried to enter the DU area in a protest march. Their aim was to surround the office of the DU Pro Vice-Chancellor (academic) Professor Mamun Ahmed, attempting to enter the campus through the Liberation and Democracy Arch. When the information spread, students from various halls of Dhaka University started to make noise, and the situation became tense. For a prolonged period, students from both sides engaged in alternating clashes. Read more: Students of DU and seven colleges clash They took positions, throwing bricks and stones, in the Nilkhet and New Market areas. Several students from both sides were injured in the clashes. On Monday, the students of seven colleges issued the 24-hour ultimatum outlining six point demands.

Students from the seven colleges affiliated with Dhaka University have issued a four-hour ultimatum to the government, demanding immediate action on their six demands and threatened to wage tougher measures if their demands are not met by 4:00 pm today (Monday). Addressing a press conference held at Dhaka College’s Shaheed Minar, representatives of the protesting students outlined their demands and condemned the events of the previous night in Dhaka University areas. They accused Dhaka University authorities and local police of the clashes that happened overnight in the New Market, Nilkhet and Dhaka University areas, which left over 40 people injured, including journalists and students. Six-Point Demand The students presented six demands, including a public apology from Dhaka University for its alleged role in the conflict. They also called for the resignation of DU Pro-Vice Chancellor Mamun Ahmed by the deadline. A significant demand focuses on the removal of New Market Police Station officials, including the Assistant Commissioner and officer-in-charge, who were allegedly involved in attacks on Dhaka College students. Protesters called for their withdrawal and departmental investigation for punitive action. The clashes, which began on Sunday night, reportedly left Dhaka College student Rakib critically injured. Protesters allege he was attacked with the intent to kill and described police actions during the unrest as "barbaric." Read: DU suspends Monday's exams, classes following clashes The students also demanded the complete severance of academic and administrative ties between Dhaka University and the seven colleges. They called on the government to draft a framework for an independent university for the seven colleges within 24 hours.  

Students of seven colleges affiliated with the Dhaka University withdrew their protest progamme shortly after the Education Ministry announced on Wednesday afternoon that their ongoing examinations would continue.

Amid demonstrations by the students of seven colleges affiliated with Dhaka University (DU) protesting the postponement of their ongoing examinations, the Education Ministry on Wednesday announced that their examinations will continue maintaining the Covid-19 health guidelines.