UIU students threaten ‘Dhaka Blockade’
Staff Reporter :
Students of United International University (UIU) have warned of launching a full-scale ‘Dhaka Blockade’ on Sunday if their demands are not met by the end of Saturday.
The threat comes amid escalating protests over the expulsion of students and administrative issues within the university.
On Saturday morning, students began blocking the busy Notun Bazar intersection in the capital at around 8:30 AM, causing severe traffic disruption along the Kuril-Badda-Gulshan route for more than five hours.
Commuters suffered immense difficulties as one side of the road remained completely closed.
The students are protesting what they describe as “unjust and arbitrary expulsions” of their peers who were actively involved in previous demonstrations demanding the resignation of the university’s vice chancellor and an end to administrative irregularities.
At approximately 11:00 AM, officers from Vatara Police Station attempted to disperse the demonstrators.
Protesters claim several students were injured during the police action.
While the protest was briefly interrupted, students regrouped shortly thereafter and reoccupied the road.
Defiant in the face of police pressure, the students declared they would not vacate the area until their demands were fulfilled. They also demanded accountability and punishment for police officers allegedly involved in violent actions against peaceful protesters.
The Private University Students Alliance of Bangladesh (PUSAB), a coalition of students from various private universities, expressed solidarity with the UIU protesters and joined the blockade.
PUSAB leaders echoed the demand for immediate resolution and announced that they too would participate in Sunday’s citywide blockade if the issues remain unaddressed.
The protesting students have placed forward a five-point list of demands:
1.Immediate and unconditional reinstatement of all students expelled by the UIU authorities, along with appropriate compensation.
2.Independent investigation and disciplinary action against students, faculty, and staff involved in the expulsions.
3.Implementation of reforms to address long-standing issues of mismanagement and authoritarian practices within UIU.
4.Establishment of an independent reform commission for private universities across the country.
5. Revocation of the 15% VAT of the Crisis imposed on private universities.
The ongoing student agitation began after widespread dissatisfaction within UIU’s student body.
On April 26 and 27, mounting pressure led to the resignation of 11 senior administrative officials, including the vice chancellor. Subsequently, the university suspended all academic activities indefinitely from April 28.
Though online classes resumed on May 20, many students rejected the move, demanding the resumption of on-campus education and greater administrative transparency.
According to students, the university administration has failed to address their 13-point charter of demands. Instead, on June 2, the authorities took punitive action against 41 students-24 were permanently expelled, 16 were temporarily suspended, and one student received a formal warning.
As tensions continue to rise, the students remain firm in their commitment to press ahead with the ‘Dhaka Blockade’ on Sunday unless immediate and effective measures are taken.
The university administration and relevant government bodies are now under mounting pressure to respond to the demands and avoid further disruption in the capital.