Commuters in Dhaka are facing a second day of severe gridlock as students from the seven colleges affiliated with Dhaka University resumed their road blockades today, Thursday.
The protesters are pressing a single-point demand: the immediate issuance of an ordinance to establish "Dhaka Central University." Under the banner of the ‘Seven College University Transformation Movement,’ students have occupied key intersections, including Science Lab, Technical, and Tantibazar, bringing traffic to a near-standstill in major parts of the capital.
The students announced that their sit-in will continue until the interim government’s Advisory Council, which is reportedly meeting today, approves the draft of the Dhaka Central University Act 2025.
"The Education Ministry assured us that all formalities would be finished by December. We are still waiting," said Shahriar Rabbi, a protesting student.
The blockades, which began around 11:00 am at some points, have triggered massive tailbacks affecting Old Dhaka, Mirpur, Gabtoli, and the Dhanmondi areas. On Wednesday, similar protests at Farmgate and Mohakhali left office-goers and students stranded for hours.
The education ministry recently stated that a revised draft of the ordinance has been sent to the public administration ministry. It must receive policy clearance from the Cabinet Division and vetting by the law ministry before final approval.
The seven colleges involved include Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Government Bangla College, and Titumir College, among others.
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