7-College Students to Block 3 Key Dhaka Points Today

Students of the seven affiliated colleges will block three major intersections in the capital today, Thursday, to press their demand for the immediate issuance of the Dhaka Central University ordinance.

The blockades are scheduled for the Science Lab, Technical, and Tantibazar intersections under the banner of the ‘Seven College University Transformation Movement.’

On Wednesday, similar protests caused severe traffic congestion across the city. Students blocked the Tantibazar intersection at 11:45 am, followed by the Technical intersection at 12:30 pm and Science Lab at 1:00 pm. The demonstrations lasted until late afternoon, leaving commuters in extreme hardship.

Nayeem Howladar, a student leader, confirmed that today’s programme aims to ensure the updated draft of the ordinance is approved in today’s advisory council meeting.

The Ministry of Education confirmed it sent a revised draft of the proposed "Dhaka Central University" ordinance to the Public Administration Ministry on Tuesday. The draft still requires policy clearance from the Cabinet Division and vetting by the Law Ministry before it reaches the advisory council for final approval.

The crisis dates back to 2017 when the seven colleges—Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Begum Badrunnesa Government Girls’ College, Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Government Bangla College, and Titumir College—were affiliated with Dhaka University without proper preparation.

The new proposal suggests these colleges will maintain their individual identities while functioning under the academic umbrella of the new "Dhaka Central University," similar to the National University model.