Students from seven government colleges staged a sit-in outside Shikkha Bhaban on Monday (Oct. 13), demanding the swift finalization of the “Dhaka Central University Act-2025” and the immediate issuance of the corresponding ordinance.

At 11:20 am, students from Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College and Kabi Nazrul Government College arrived in a procession and took position in front of the Ministry of Education headquarters. 

Witnesses said students from other institutions soon joined the march 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 towards the Secretariat was suspended due to the demonstration, and police placed a barricade to prevent the students from advancing towards the Secretariat.

One of the demonstrators, 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.

On March 26 this year, the government announced its decision to separate the seven government colleges in the capital and form a new university. The University Grants Commission (UGC) subsequently selected the proposed name, “Dhaka Central University.” 

The colleges 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. 

Students from the seven colleges have long campaigned to sever their affiliation with the University of Dhaka and establish a new central university, and they have continued to protest to press that demand. 

SMS/