Students from seven government colleges in Dhaka issued a 24-hour ultimatum to authorities Saturday demanding immediate gazette notification for interim administrative body.
They warned of strong street protests near concerned ministries from Monday if demands remain unmet by Sunday deadline.
Speaking at press conference outside Eden Mohila College around 4:00 PM, representatives threatened renewed demonstrations, stating they would only return to campus "with university ordinance in hand." Students presented five-point demand list focusing on administrative transition from Dhaka University affiliation to independent university status.
"We want our right to education. We've stepped away from protests and returned to studies, but state keeps pushing us back onto streets," said Zafrin Akhter, member of Seven College University Transition Team. "If no gazette is issued by Sunday regarding interim administration, we will be compelled to resume street movements Monday."
Student leaders highlighted troubling three-month delay in implementing University Grants Commission (UGC) proposal from 25 February which recommended interim administration to bridge period between Dhaka University disaffiliation and establishment of new university. Despite finalising university name, gazette notification for interim administration remains mysteriously stalled at governmental level.
Tanzimul Abid, another student representative, referenced recent meeting with Planning Advisor Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud who assured them file had reached Office of Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus with announcement expected within week. "Students have been beaten, injured, and even disabled while demanding fair and independent academic environment," Abid noted, emphasising movement began September last year to end discrimination faced under current affiliation system.
Five-point demands include: gazette notification by Sunday; comprehensive academic calendar addressing session delays and irregularities once administrator appointed; initiation of 2024-25 admission tests within two working days; publication of university framework and logo within five working days; and issuance of university ordinance with budget allocation by 16 June 2025.
Seven institutions affected include Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Begum Badrunnesa Government Women's College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Mirpur Bangla College and Government Titumir College. Student representatives stressed movement enjoys broad support including from Dhaka University students who also favour de-affiliation process.
"We have seen tendency from some quarters to underestimate seven colleges," Akhter added, noting specialist committee formed December with four-month deadline failed to deliver solutions by 30 April deadline. Current arrangement forces colleges to rely on Dhaka University for administration, academics and examinations, undermining goal of creating autonomous university.
NRE/HKJ
