7 DU-affiliate college students block Nilkhet intersection again

DU Correspondent :
Students from seven colleges affiliated with Dhaka University (DU) blocked Nilkhat intersection of the city on Tuesday to press home a series of demands involving harassment at the DU’s Register building and retaking exams, among other matters.
Halting traffic, the students blocked the intersection by forming a large circle around 11:30 and were shouting slogans in favor of their demands.
Earlier, on 4 June, the students blocked the Eden Mohila College gate to press their demands and later Prof Supriya Bhattacharjee, principle of Eden College, arrived at the scene and assured the agitating students of meeting their demands.

After two and a half hours, the students left the street as the college principle assured them of taking necessary measures.
“We postponed the protest programme for today. There is a meeting of the principals with the chief coordinators of seven colleges. If there is no positive result in this meeting, we will

announce a tougher programme again,” Shahriar Mahmud, a Dhaka College student said.

However, the commuters were suffering much as no vehicle could pass through the area during the protest. People were also seen walking to their destinations.
Taslim Chowdhury, coordinator of the Seven College Movement, said, “Earlier we met with Eden Mohila College principal, she assured us of fulfilling our demands. We hope that the decision will be student friendly.”
Prof Supriya Bhattacharjee said, “We had a meeting on the demands earlier. We took initiatives to meet their demands. We have to talk more about their second and third point.”
The students demanded that the authorities explain why students of the seven colleges are harassed at the Registrar Building of Dhaka University and ensure that it stops and want authorities to provide opportunities for students to retake exams within a year to improve grades for those who found out they were not promoted.

Other demands included publishing results within three months of the exam’s end, assigning a particular authority to handle student complaints, formulating and properly implementing an academic calendar, taking necessary steps to resolve crises involving a lack of teachers and classrooms, and relaxing CGPA conditions.