In a bid for a separate autonomous public university, students from the seven government colleges affiliated with Dhaka University took to the streets, blocking Dhaka’s Science Lab intersection.
The protest began at noon on Tuesday (29 October) resulting in a complete halt in traffic across the busy area.
The seven government colleges involved are Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Kabi Nazrul College, Begum Badrunnesa Government Mohila College, Mirpur Government Bangla College, and Government Titumir College.
Upon visiting the scene, it was observed that large numbers of students from these colleges had gathered at Science Lab intersection, holding placards and chanting slogans.
Demonstrators blocked a police prison van as part of the protest.
The slogans chanted included: "Autonomy or release, we demand freedom," "Education is not for sale, we won’t accept commercialisation," "No more servitude, we want independence," "Dhaka University should remain for Dhaka University; seven colleges should be liberated," "Is this oppression or rights? We demand our rights," and "We reject the farce of administration."
Law enforcement personnel maintained a vigilant presence in and around Science Lab and surrounding key locations to ensure order amidst the protest.
