Students from seven government colleges are protesting in front of the Ministry of Education demanding the swift finalization and issuance of the ‘Dhaka Central University Act–2025’ based on stakeholders’ feedback. The protest began on Monday (October 13) morning, and by noon, the students presented four key demands, declaring they will not vacate the road until their demands are met.
The four demands are:
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Amend the draft ordinance based on stakeholders’ input and issue the final ordinance within the next three working days.
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Grant recognition to all current students unconditionally under the ordinance.
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Appoint the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, and other key officials within 15 working days after the ordinance is issued to commence university operations.
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The Ministry of Education must take a clear stance against intimidation or threats of failure directed at students.
The protest initially included students from Shaheed Suhrawardy College and Kabi Nazrul Government College, later joined by students from Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Begum Badrunnesa Government Women’s College, Mirpur Bangla College, and Titumir Government College.
The demonstration has blocked traffic from the Ministry to the Secretariat, and police have set up barricades to prevent students from advancing toward the Secretariat. Female students also participated, chanting slogans such as “No procrastination on the ordinance,” “Fire has ignited in our blood,” and “No commercialization of education.”
Background: On March 26, 2025, the government announced the creation of a new university by separating the seven government colleges in Dhaka. The University Grants Commission named it ‘Dhaka Central University’, which includes Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Begum Badrunnesa Government Women’s College, Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Mirpur Bangla College, and Titumir Government College.