Students of Dhaka Medical College (DMC) have declared an indefinite suspension of academic activities in protest against the ongoing housing crisis and mismanagement of hazardous academic buildings.
In a written statement issued today (June 21), the students announced that they will abstain from all classes, ward duties, and internal examinations until their demands are met.
According to the students, the old academic building of the college, along with Dr. Fazle Rabbi Boys’ Hostel and Dr. Aleem Chowdhury Girls’ Hostel, are dangerously old and structurally unsafe.
Despite being unfit for education and residence, these buildings are still in use—posing serious risks to students’ lives and hindering academic progress.
To address these concerns, the students have placed five key demands:
- Immediate approval of a budget for constructing new boys’ and girls’ hostels.
- Temporary alternative housing arrangements for students until new accommodations are built.
- Separate budget allocations for both new and temporary housing, along with prompt and visible action.
- Official declaration of the old academic buildings as hazardous and their abandonment, with arrangements for relocation and budget approval for new academic buildings.
- Appointment of student representatives to ensure transparency and coordination with the administration throughout the protest period.
The students claim that although this crisis has persisted for years, the authorities have failed to take any effective action. Left with no other option, they have opted to shut down the campus and suspend academic activities in protest.
MN/
