JCD backs HSC delay, seeks dialogue

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) called on the government to reconsider its position on the ongoing student movement demanding the resignation of Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon, saying the crisis could be resolved through dialogue while also backing demands to temporarily suspend the HSC and equivalent examinations due to worsening floods.

Speaking to reporters after meeting protesting students at Dhaka University’s VC Chattar on Tuesday, JCD Central General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir said the deteriorating flood situation had created severe difficulties for examinees in different parts of the country.

He noted that the government had already postponed examinations under the Chattogram Education Board because of flooding, while heavy rainfall also disrupted examinations in several northern districts.

“The flood situation has deteriorated in different parts of the country, which is why the government postponed examinations under the Chattogram Education Board. Apart from that, rainfall also affected several northern districts where students had to suffer greatly to sit for the examinations. We are aware of that. JCD has also demanded a temporary suspension of the examinations,” he said.

Nasir said JCD, unlike the Bangladesh Chhatra League during the previous Awami League government, had openly urged the current administration to review its decision.

“We have heard that the government is discussing the matter. Yesterday, discussions were held with education board chairmen, divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners. I believe a solution will be found,” he said.

Addressing complaints over the difficulty level of one of the examination papers, Nasir described the issue as technical and said students could nominate representatives for discussions with the Education Ministry.

“The students have said one question paper was difficult. We told them that if they want to discuss such technical issues, they can nominate representatives and we will take them to the Education Ministry,” he said.

Asked whether the Education Minister had failed in his responsibilities as students’ guardian, Nasir said decisions on public examinations were made collectively after consultations with education board chairmen, divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, upazila nirbahi officers, police and other stakeholders.

“Any decision may have both strengths and weaknesses,” he said.
Reiterating JCD’s position, Nasir said road blockades would not help resolve the issue.

“I believe there is room for dialogue. Chhatra Dal thinks the government has the opportunity to reconsider its decision, which is why we issued a press release. This issue should be resolved through discussion, not by blocking roads,” he said.

He also assured the protesting students of the organisation’s support, saying JCD would accompany them if they wished to meet the authorities.

Earlier in the day, around 12:30pm, a group of HSC examinees marched towards the Education Ministry, demanding the resignation of Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon and pressing a three-point charter of demands over the continuation of examinations amid flooding and waterlogging.

Police intercepted the procession near Dhaka University’s VC Chattar, leading to scuffles between demonstrators and law enforcement personnel.

The protest coincided with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s participation in the “Youth, Startups and the Bangladesh of Possibilities” programme at the Nawab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building on the Dhaka University campus.

Security was tightened across the campus, with a large deployment of police and other law enforcement personnel around the venue. Authorities later brought the situation under control and the protesters dispersed.

However, by the time this report was filed, the protesting students had once again blocked the Science Laboratory intersection in the capital.