Titumir college students' block Gulshan-1 streets

Students of Government Titumir College have taken streets of Gulshan-1 on Friday night as a part of their ongoing protest, demanding the college be declared an independent university. 

Earlier, on January 29, they started a hunger strike for state recognition of the institution, and around 9.30 PM on Friday, students began blocking the Gulshan-1 road intersection, demanding the government fulfill their request. 

The protest caused significant traffic disruptions, with vehicles stuck on surrounding streets as they could not pass through the blocked road. The students were seen chanting slogans, reiterating their demand for the college's university status.

The students emphasized that their demand for university status has been ongoing for a long time, but they feel that their legitimate request is being ignored. They also mentioned that a few students had fallen seriously ill during the protest due to their fasting. As a result, they decided to block the road to draw attention to their plight.

The students are demanding immediate action from the authorities, stating that they will not return to their homes until their seven-point demand for the transformation of Titumir College into a university is met.

The seven-point demands are as follows:

1. Government recognition of Titumir College as a university, and the publication of its academic calendar.
2. Formation of a university administration and commencement of the 2024-2025 admission process.
3. Assurance of 100% student accommodation or provision of residential expenses for all students.
4. Introduction of at least two international-standard programs, "Law" and "Journalism," starting from the 2024-2025 academic session.
5. Appointment of qualified Ph.D. holders as faculty members for academic operations.
6. Limiting the number of students to enhance the quality of education.
7. Allocation of land and financial resources for the establishment of international standard research labs.

Earlier, on Thursday night, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Nuruzzaman, met with the protesting students and urged them to end their hunger strike. However, the students vowed to continue their hunger strike until the government declares Titumir College a university.