Students return to science lab, renew demand for Education Minister's resignation
Photo: Agamir Somoy
Agitating college students returned to the Science Laboratory intersection in Dhaka on Tuesday afternoon to resume their protest, demanding the resignation of Education Minister A.N.M. Ehsanul Hoque Milon over the government's decision to hold HSC examinations Monday despite heavy rain and widespread waterlogging.
The demonstration, which resumed around 3:30 pm, once again blocked traffic on the Mirpur Road section.
Students have been protesting across the country since Tuesday morning, staging road blockades, rallies, and demonstrations in response to Monday's HSC examinations, which were held despite continuous rainfall and flooding in many areas.
On-the-ground observations showed that the protesters returned to the Science Laboratory intersection shortly before 4:00 pm after marching to the Dhaka Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education office in Bakshibazar, where they demanded the education minister's resignation and chanted slogans.
Earlier in the day, the students had attempted to march toward the University of Dhaka through the VC Chattar area but were stopped by police. They later proceeded to the education board office via Palashi intersection.
Muhin, a student of Dhaka City College, told Agami'r Somoy, "We have been here since 11:00 am. We later went to the University of Dhaka and the education board office, but police stopped us at both places, and there were scuffles with officers."
He added, "Flooding across the country has made it difficult for many students to reach their examination centres. Yet the education minister suspended exams only under the Chattogram Education Board. This is nothing but a mockery of students. We will not leave the streets until our demands are met."
