Students of Government Titumir College escalated their protests on Monday, blocking the Mohakhali Rail Crossing from 3:40pm to demand the college's transformation into an independent university. Four platoons of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) are deployed to maintain order.
The blockade has already delayed at least six trains, with disruptions expected to increase. Earlier in the day, protesters also blocked the Mohakhali-Gulshan road at 12:20pm for the fifth consecutive day.
The students reiterated their three-point demand:
Official recognition: Titumir College must be granted state recognition as an independent university, complete with an academic calendar.
Higher education standards: The government must withdraw the education advisor’s statement and ensure international-standard higher education across all institutions, granting institutional accreditation based on merit.
Accountability: A thorough investigation must be conducted into allegations of undue pressure exerted by the legal advisor on the education ministry regarding the formation of the Titumir University Commission, and the advisor must publicly apologise for obstructing state functions.
Students of Titumir College have been demonstrating for months, staging rallies, blocking roads and railways, submitting memoranda, and boycotting classes to press their demand.
In response, on 2 February, Education Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahdum said the government will not establish new universities based on public protests or demands.
