Student Union holds protest for half fare on Metro Rail and other demands

Today, the Bangladesh Chhatra Union‍‍`s Dhaka Metropolitan Committee held a protest rally at Bahadur Shah Park in Old Dhaka. 

They raised a five-point demand, with their main focus on ensuring half fare for students on the metro rail. 

Other demands included reducing the prices of educational materials, creating job opportunities for graduates, and providing free healthcare for students.

The rally was led by the president of the Dhaka Metropolitan Committee, Salman Rahat, and hosted by the general secretary, Prizm Fakir. 

Several prominent leaders spoke at the event, including Bahauddin Shubho, the general secretary of the Central Committee, and other student leaders from Dhaka College, Government Bangla College, and Sutrapur Thana branches.

During the protest, the student leaders explained that although half fare for students has already been implemented in public buses after the July student uprising, this rule has not been applied to the metro rail. 

As the metro rail is also a public transport system, the students believe they deserve the same benefit there. They argued that all public transport should offer half fare to students.

The speakers also mentioned that the movement to reform the quota system for government jobs was essentially about improving job opportunities for students. 

They criticized the current government, saying that even though the previous Hasina government fell due to this movement, no effective steps have been taken by the new advisory council to address student unemployment. 

The student union leaders called for the creation of new job opportunities and the introduction of technical education in schools and colleges to better prepare students for employment.

They further demanded that the prices of educational materials be reduced, saying that market syndicates should be broken up to control costs.

They also made it clear that students do not want to be used by political parties as a tool for violence or disruption. 

The leaders urged the authorities not to use students against those participating in fair and just movements.

The protest ended with the student leaders emphasizing the need for a secular, science-based education policy that is accessible to all, as well as free healthcare services for students through a health card system.