Bangladesh Students Rage: Widespread Protests Demand Education Minister’s Resignation
Torrential rain and severe waterlogging across Bangladesh today triggered massive student protests, bringing major cities to a standstill. Thousands of students, angered by the decision to hold crucial Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations amidst the extreme weather, demanded the immediate resignation of Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon.
From the capital Dhaka to cities like Bogura and Barisal, students staged widespread demonstrations. They blocked key national highways for hours, including the Dhaka–Mymensingh and Dhaka–Barishal routes, causing significant traffic disruptions and stranding commuters. The widespread unrest underscored deep frustration over the authorities’ handling of the exam schedule.
In Dhaka, protesters converged on several critical locations throughout the day. Students blockaded the Science Laboratory intersection for an hour, staged sit-ins, and later marched towards Dhaka University. Police quickly responded, setting up barricades and dispersing groups near the Vice-Chancellor’s residence. Despite this, students regrouped, maintaining a presence on roads leading to the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC).
The students voiced deep concerns about the exam conditions. One student from Birshreshtha Munshi Abdur Rouf Public College reported that two of eight physics questions were incorrect, with the remaining six being “exceptionally difficult,” akin to university admission tests. Another, from Dhaka Ideal College, highlighted how many students could not even reach exam centers due to the floods. Admit cards, essential for entry, were often ruined by the rain, leaving many in despair.
“We do not want an education minister who fails to consider the plight of students during his tenure. We demand his immediate resignation,” stated a science student, reflecting a common sentiment. Demonstrators from between 12 and 15 colleges, including Dhaka City College and Government Bangla College, participated in the blockades, chanting slogans like “One point, one demand—resignation of the Education Minister!”
The impact on daily life was immediate, with busy thoroughfares like Mirpur Road also brought to a halt for an hour in the morning. Traffic on the Dhaka–Mymensingh highway in Uttara remained suspended for an extended period, an official confirmed. Police deployment remained heavy in protest areas as students continued their actions.
Similar scenes unfolded in other parts of the country. In Bogura, students brought out a protest march and held a rally, demanding the education minister’s resignation and the removal of the education secretary. They threatened tougher actions if their demands were not met within 24 hours. Barisal also saw students blocking the Dhaka–Barishal highway in front of the local education board, further intensifying the nationwide disruption. The protests highlight growing discontent among students regarding the handling of their examinations. As blockades continued in several areas, authorities faced increasing pressure to address the students’ demands.
