Dhaka Central University Ordinance Demanded by Seven Government Colleges

NN ONLINE:

Seven government colleges staged a sit-in outside Shikkha Bhaban on Monday, Oct. 13, urging the swift finalization of the Dhaka Central University Act-2025 and the immediate issuance of the corresponding ordinance.

At 11:20 a.m., students from Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College and Kabi Nazrul Government College arrived in a procession and positioned themselves in front of the Ministry of Education headquarters. Soon, students from other institutions joined in groups.

Chanting slogans such as “No more delays over the ordinance,” “Our blood is on fire,” and “No trade in education,” the protesters filled the area with calls for action. Vehicular movement on the road from the ministry toward the Secretariat was halted by the demonstration, and police placed a barricade to prevent further advance toward the Secretariat.

Jisan, a fourth-year political science student at Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College, said the government had announced plans to convert the seven colleges into a university, but no ordinance had yet been issued. “We want the Dhaka Central University Act-2025 ordinance issued today. Otherwise, we will be compelled to announce tougher programmes,” he said.

Earlier this year, on March 26, the government announced its decision to separate the seven capital-based government colleges and form a new university. The University Grants Commission (UGC) subsequently named the proposed institution “Dhaka Central University.”

The colleges involved are Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Begum Badrunnesa Government Girls’ College, Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Government Bangla College (Mirpur), and Government Titumir College. For years, students from the seven colleges have campaigned to sever their affiliation with the University of Dhaka in favor of establishing a new central university, and they have continued to protest to press that demand.