Traffic chaos in Dhaka as students rally for seven colleges‍‍` independence

Students from the seven government colleges affiliated with Dhaka University have launched a movement demanding the establishment of an independent university. 

The protest began on Monday at 11 AM, with students gathering at Dhaka College before marching to Science Lab and Nilkhet, where hundreds of students held a sit-in.

The demonstrations have led to significant traffic disruptions across the capital, with vehicles unable to move in the Science Lab, New Market, and Nilkhet areas due to the student protests.

Participants in the protests expressed their dissatisfaction with the integration of the seven colleges into Dhaka University, which occurred under former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina‍‍`s directive in 2017. 

They argued that the decision was poorly planned and that the intended goals have not been achieved in the eight years since the colleges became affiliated. 

Instead, students claim that the integration has resulted in chaos in their educational experiences, with administrative shortcomings and discriminatory policies from the Dhaka University administration depriving them of adequate educational opportunities.

Abdur Rahman, a student from the Department of Zoology at Dhaka College and a focal point for the Seven Colleges University Transition Team, stated that students are now demanding a self-governing or independent public university comprised of the seven colleges. 

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In pursuit of this goal, they have already submitted a memorandum to the education advisor, the chairman of the University Grants Commission, and the vice-chancellor of Dhaka University. 

However, with no response from relevant authorities within the stipulated time, students felt compelled to take to the streets.

During the protests, the students presented three key demands:

1. The formation of a reform committee to expedite the establishment of an independent public university for the seven colleges.

2. The reform committee should consult with teachers, students, and stakeholders within 30 working days to draft a blueprint for the independent university.

3. The reform committee should coordinate with Dhaka University administration to maintain the current structure and prevent session jams for ongoing students.

The seven colleges that were integrated into Dhaka University as part of this initiative include Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Shaheed Sohrawardy College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Begum Badrunnessa Government Women‍‍`s College, Government Bangla College, and Government Titumir College. Currently, the admissions, examinations, and academic activities for the affiliated colleges are managed by Dhaka University.