Anger as Students Block Dhaka Roads Over Monsoon Exams

Dhaka and several other regions across Bangladesh have been plunged into chaos as Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) candidates took to the streets to protest against the administration’s decision to hold exams amidst relentless monsoon downpours and severe waterlogging. Demanding immediate suspension of the examinations, frustrated students blocked major thoroughfares in the capital early in the morning. Despite efforts by law enforcement agencies to pacify the crowds and restore order, the demonstrations quickly intensified. The sudden blockade brought traffic in key areas of Dhaka to a complete standstill, leaving thousands of commuters stranded and causing widespread public misery.

At the heart of the protests is a mounting demand for the resignation of Education Minister A.N.M. Ehsanul Hoque Milan. Angry candidates accused the ministry of administrative apathy, arguing that the decision to proceed with the crucial public exams was made arbitrarily without assessing the ground reality. Persistent rainfall has submerged low-lying areas of Dhaka, turning key roads into virtual rivers.

Faced with a severe shortage of public transport, students were forced to wade through knee-deep water to reach their designated exam centres. Many arrived at the examination halls completely drenched, while others reported that their essential documents, including admit cards and registration papers, were ruined by the water. The shattered transport network also meant that a significant number of candidates failed to reach their centres on time, throwing their academic futures into jeopardy.

Beyond the call for the Education Minister’s resignation, the protesters have put forward several key demands. Foremost among these is the temporary suspension of all ongoing HSC examinations until the flood and waterlogging situation returns to normal. Additionally, the candidates are demanding a revised exam schedule once conditions improve, alongside special state transport and security arrangements to ensure their safe travel to and from the centres during adverse weather.

As students gathered at major intersections, chanting slogans and holding placards, gridlocks paralysed the city. Commuters heading to offices and emergency vehicles, including ambulances, found themselves trapped in miles of stationary traffic. Although police officers urged the students to vacate the roads to ease the congestion, the protesters remained resolute, vowing to continue their blockade until their demands are met. While the Ministry of Education has defended its schedule by pointing to the need to avoid academic sessions jams, parents and civil society members have urged the government to prioritise public safety and student welfare, calling for an immediate, empathetic resolution to the crisis.