On Thursday, 15 January, students from the Seven Colleges staged extensive road blockades at several key intersections across Dhaka, causing significant disruption to daily commuters. The protest was aimed at pressing the government to issue a proposed ordinance to formally establish Dhaka Central University, a long-standing demand of the student body.
The demonstrations were concentrated at three central junctions—Science Lab, Technical, and Tantibazar—where traffic was brought to a near standstill for several hours. According to witnesses, the blockade at Science Lab commenced at 12:45 PM and continued for several hours, with students sitting in solidarity under banners proclaiming the “Seven Colleges University Transformation Movement.”
Students stated that during previous protests on 7 and 8 December, the Ministry of Education had assured them that the ordinance would be issued at the beginning of January. Frustrated by the absence of any tangible progress, they returned to the streets to intensify their demands.
A ministry official confirmed that the drafting process for the ordinance had advanced significantly. A press release issued on 13 January stated that the proposed legislation had been prepared to accommodate the students’ reasonable demands while ensuring administrative efficiency. The draft is now awaiting submission to the Cabinet and the Law Division, before final approval by the Advisory Council.
One student explained, “In 2017, the previous government separated Seven Colleges from the National University and affiliated it with Dhaka University. Since then, we have faced numerous administrative difficulties. Results have to be collected from Dhaka University, yet we receive conflicting directives.” He added, “Even after entrance examinations are completed, the absence of the ordinance hampers university operations. The government repeatedly postpones decisions. We want the ordinance issued immediately.”
The following table summarises the protest locations, approximate student participation, and primary demands:
| Protest Location | Start Time | Approx. Student Numbers | Primary Demands |
|---|---|---|---|
| Science Lab | 12:45 PM | 500 | Immediate issuance of the ordinance |
| Technical Junction | 12:45 PM | 400 | Formal recognition of the university |
| Tantibazar Junction | 12:45 PM | 350 | Resolution of results and administrative issues |
The road blockades form part of the ongoing campaign by Seven Colleges students. They emphasise that without the swift issuance of the ordinance, academic activities will remain disrupted and institutional governance compromised. The students appealed to the government to take prompt action to ensure that both education and Dhaka’s traffic flow are not unnecessarily obstructed.