Students of United International University (UIU) staged a road blockade at Dhaka’s Natun Bazar area on Saturday, demanding the withdrawal of what they describe as "illegal expulsions," accountability from what they term the "repressive" university syndicate, and the establishment of a democratic environment on campus.
The protest began at around 8:30 AM, partially disrupting traffic flow in the area. According to police, vehicular movement on the Kuril to Badda-bound road was completely halted, while the opposite side remained open.
Authorities were actively working to disperse the students and restore normal traffic, with university officials also present at the scene for discussions.
More than fifty students participated in the protest, chanting slogans such as "Either the expulsion will be withdrawn, or my body will leave," "Withdraw expulsion first, then reforms can follow," "The authority is tyrannical, step down now," "Education in private sectors must be reclaimed," and "Let private ventures remain, but the syndicate must go."
The students allege that since April 26, following their participation in the UIU Reform Movement, the university administration, along with the University Grants Commission and the Ministry of Education, have delayed fair resolution through what the students describe as “drama and prolonged inaction.”
Despite over two months of consistent appeals to the administration, no effective solution has been offered.
As the standoff continued, the students declared they were compelled to return to the streets to press their demands before "another July arrives," referencing previous unresolved incidents.
In response to the student movement, the UIU vice-chancellor, 24 deans, department heads, and directors resigned from their positions. Subsequently, the university was declared closed indefinitely on April 27.
Although online classes resumed on May 20, a significant portion of the students rejected this arrangement, continuing to demand in-person classes and greater administrative transparency.
Law enforcement personnel were deployed in larger numbers at the protest site to maintain order as the situation developed.
