The students of Dhaka University-affiliated seven colleges blocked the Science Laboratory crossing Sunday evening to press home their five demands, including the abolition of unreasonable quota in admission tests.
The students first blocked the road in front of Dhaka College at about 6:00pm and later blocked the Science Laboratory crossing.
Due to their demonstration, severe traffic jam occurred in and around the area and people had to suffer immensely.
The students began the demonstration as a group of 50 students were reportedly insulted by the DU pro-vice chancellor Mamun Ahmed when the students placed their demands to the pro-VC in the afternoon.
Besides the cancelation of unreasonable quota in admission, their demands include admission based on teacher-student ratio, no admission beyond classroom capacity, introducing negative marking in admission tests to ensure transparency, and an account only for the seven colleges and operating it under the supervision of a ministry-formed expert committee.
鈥榃hen we approached DU Pro-VC to place our demands, we were insulted and were asked to leave,鈥� said Afzal Hossain, a student of Dhaka College.
鈥榃e now want that the pro-VC will offer an apology,鈥� he said.
鈥業f our demands are not met by tonight, we will not leave the place,鈥� he added.
Asked about the students鈥� allegations, DU Pro-VC Mamun Ahmed said that the students had submitted a memorandum to him a few days ago.
鈥楾oday, they came to discuss it with me. As many of them tried to forcefully enter my office at a time, I wanted to talk to two of their representatives. A minor altercation occurred then,鈥� he added.
The protest was going on till filing the report at about 10:15pm.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police deputy commissioner Masud Alam said that the students should not block roads for an altercation with the university pro-VC.
He said that people suffered immensely as the students blocked the road immediately after office hours.