Vehicle movement towards Shikkha Bhaban suspended due to protest

Undergraduate and postgraduate students from seven government colleges in Dhaka continued their sit-in for the second day in front of Shikkha Bhaban, demanding immediate formal proclamation of the Dhaka Central University Ordinance.

Shahbagh Police Station Sub-Inspector Mainul Islam told The Daily Star around 5:00 pm that demonstrators were still occupying the road.

"They have been staying here since yesterday. They resumed their sit-in again this morning," he said, adding that vehicle movement towards Shikkha Bhaban has been suspended due to the protest.

The students said their demand is straightforward: the government must issue the ordinance for the new university, or they will continue their sit-in.

On the other hand, students from several higher secondary colleges, including Dhaka College, staged demonstrations yesterday demanding the preservation of their institutions' independent identity. They fear that the proposed Dhaka Central University will jeopardise their future.

The Ministry of Education announced on November 12 its plan to merge seven government colleges into the new university.