Bangla Blockade cripples Dhaka
DU Correspondent :
Students in the country have recently initiated protests across the capital and nationwide, blocking key intersections and roads as part of the Bangla Blockade movement.
The primary demand of the demonstrators is the reinstatement of a 2018 order that abolished quotas in various educational and employment sectors.
In Dhaka, students from Dhaka University took action by blocking intersections such as Shahbagh to Bangla Motor and Mayor Hanif Flyover, with additional protests at Chankharpool and other locations like Science Lab and Nilkhet, organized by Dhaka College, Eden College, and Govt Titumir College.
Initially, the students had four demands, but these have now consolidated into a single demand: the abolition of discriminatory quotas in all academic and professional assessments, followed by a comprehensive reform and legislative action in the National Parliament to address these issues logically.
Hasnat Abdullah, a coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement, emphasized the unified demand for legislative action to address these issues comprehensively.
The protests have seen sustained participation, with nearly ten thousand students gathering daily for six consecutive days around the Dhaka University campus, demonstrating from mid-afternoon until evening.
Following their protest in various parts of Dhaka, students congregated at Shahbagh.
The demonstrations, which included blockades at Agargaon junction by Sher E Bangla Agricultural University students and protests at Kabi Nazrul College in Old Dhaka, were part of a widespread movement.
Coordinator Nahid Islam emphasized their demands, stating, “Accept our demands or provide 100 percent quota, making the country exclusively for quota holders.”
As part of their scheduled activities, students announced an indefinite strike, boycotting classes and examinations, and continuing the Bangla blockade program.
They planned to assemble at the DU Central Library before proceeding to Shahbagh. Nahid called for nationwide participation in these activities.
The student movement caused significant disruption in Dhaka City, with blockades starting from 3 pm, allowing only ambulances to pass through Shahbagh, Karwan Bazar, Farmgate, Agargaon, Mirpur’s Kazi Para, Shewra Para, Mirpur No. 10, New Market, Science Lab, Tantibazar in Puran Dhaka, Roy Saheb Bazar Mor, Bangshal, Gulistan, and Purana Paltan.
At Jahangirnagar University, students blocked the Dhaka-Aricha highway, affecting traffic to North Bengal and Mymensingh for two hours.
Similarly, Cumilla University students staged a sit-in on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, a crucial route linking the capital with Chattogram, with participation from National University College and Comilla Victoria Government College.
In Cumilla Sadar South upazila, students at Beltali area caused heavy traffic congestion for two and a half hours as they protested.
Additionally, students across the country demonstrated near their respective campuses in solidarity with the movement.