The long-running struggle of students from the seven government colleges in Dhaka took a new turn on Wednesday, 3 December, as they declared a fresh set of protest programmes demanding the immediate issuance of the ordinance to establish Dhaka Central University. The announcement came during a student-led press conference outside Dhaka College, shortly after a day of demonstrations that brought parts of the capital to a standstill.
Student spokesperson Abdur Rahman delivered the announcement, stating that the authorities had until Saturday to publish the ordinance. If the deadline passes without action, students will begin a continuous sit-in from Sunday, 7 December, in front of the Education Building. “We will stay there as long as necessary,” Rahman said. “The movement will not stop until the ordinance is issued.”
For years, students from these seven colleges—previously affiliated with Dhaka University—have been calling for a more structured and independent system to address chronic issues such as academic delays, lack of resources, and session backlogs. They argue that only the establishment of a separate public university can ease the administrative burden that Dhaka University currently shoulders and improve the academic environment for college students.
Wednesday’s protest began in the morning on the Dhaka College campus. Hundreds of students gathered, chanting and marching in unison. Soon after, they moved onto Mirpur Road, blocking one of the busiest routes in the city. The road remained closed for over two hours as the students stood firm, saying they had “waited long enough” for the promised reforms. Their presence forced traffic diversions, affecting commuters and drawing public attention to the urgency of their demands.
Once the blockade concluded, the students held a press briefing where Rahman expressed both frustration and determination. “The process to form an independent university has been stuck for far too long,” he said. “The absence of the ordinance is only deepening the administrative crisis. We have no choice but to take to the streets.”
The government has already made an in-principle decision to dissolve the seven colleges’ affiliation with Dhaka University and combine them into a new public institution named Dhaka Central University. This structural change is intended to improve governance, reduce academic delays, and ensure greater autonomy. Yet despite this policy-level approval, no ordinance has been issued—effectively freezing the project.
This delay has left students feeling neglected and uncertain about their academic futures. Many expressed the fear that without strong pressure, the proposal could be shelved indefinitely. “If we do not speak now, our education will continue to suffer,” said one protesting student. “We cannot afford any more delays.”
The seven colleges—Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Government Titumir College, Begum Badrunnesa Government Women’s College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Dhaka Metropolitan College, and Government Bangla College—collectively represent a vast student population. The impact of academic stagnation affects not only current students but future cohorts as well.
Students claim that examinations often fall behind schedule by months or even years due to the administrative load placed on Dhaka University. They argue that an independent university would allow for faster scheduling of exams, quicker publication of results, and improved academic coordination.
In recent years, similar demonstrations by the seven colleges have occasionally forced progress, but students say promises are made only to be delayed again. This time, they insist they will not back down until the ordinance is formally published.
As Sunday’s deadline approaches, anticipation is building across academic circles in Dhaka. Whether the government will respond promptly or allow tensions to escalate remains to be seen. For now, the students stand united and resolute: “Issue the ordinance, or we sit indefinitely.