Summary:
- Titumir College students blocked Dhaka’s Mohakhali-Gulshan road for 6th consecutive day, demanding state recognition as a university and academic reforms.
- 10 students continued a hunger strike; 3 hospitalized, others sustained with saline support amid stalled negotiations.
- Protests began on 29 January, escalating with road/rail blockades and calls for admissions, faculty upgrades, and infrastructure funding.
- Key demands include accredited Law/Journalism programs, housing support, capped enrollment, and a research laboratory.
DHAKA – Students from Government Titumir College paralyzed traffic on Dhaka’s Mohakhali-Gulshan road for hours on Monday (3 February), escalating their six-day protest demanding the immediate transformation of their institution into a state-recognized university. The demonstration, which began at 12:20pm, halted all vehicular movement after protesters barricaded the roadway with bamboo, compounding commuter chaos during peak hours.
Hunger Strike Intensifies
Ten students have sustained a hunger strike for five consecutive days in front of the college gate, with three hospitalized due to deteriorating health. “Others are continuing the strike with saline support,” said Raid Hassan, a Bangla department student. The strike underscores mounting tensions as negotiations with authorities remain stalled.
Background and Escalation
The protests began on 29 January with road blockades near the Mohakhali campus, followed by renewed demonstrations on 31 January. Students argue that delayed administrative reforms have jeopardized academic stability and career prospects.
Core Demands
- University Status: Formal recognition of “Titumir University” by the government, including administrative restructuring and admissions for the 2024-25 session.
- Academic Upgrades: Introduction of internationally accredited Law and Journalism programs, plus PhD-qualified faculty appointments.
- Student Welfare: Guaranteed accommodation or housing stipends for all enrollees, coupled with capped enrollment to preserve educational quality.
- Infrastructure: Allocation of land and funds for a high-standard research laboratory.
Authorities have yet to issue a formal response, leaving the college community in limbo. With traffic disruptions spreading and health risks mounting among protesters, the standoff threatens to deepen Dhaka’s ongoing education-sector unrest.
Source: TBS News
