Students of Titumir College have staged a road blockade in Dhaka today, demanding the conversion of their institution into an independent university. The protests, which took place in front of the college on January 30, come after a series of protests and an indefinite hunger strike the previous day, where students called for the national recognition of the college as a full-fledged university.
On Thursday, January 30, students of Government Titumir College blocked a road in the Gulshan area, demanding that the college be upgraded to an independent university. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Gulshan Traffic Zone, Ziaur Rahman Jiko, confirmed the protests to TBS.
Earlier on Wednesday afternoon, the students began a hunger strike under the banner “Indefinite Hunger Strike for the National Recognition of Titumir University.” They presented seven key demands, including the recognition of Titumir College as a university, the release of an academic calendar for the university, the establishment of a university administration to manage the 2024-25 admission process, and the assurance of full accommodation for all students. Furthermore, they requested the inclusion of at least two international standard subjects—Law and Journalism—beginning from the 2024-25 academic year.
Students have long been advocating for Titumir College to be converted into a university. Following political changes in August 2024, students once again took to the streets, submitting proposals to the President, Chief Advisor, and various ministries.
In the wake of the political shift and the subsequent demand for a separate university for seven colleges previously affiliated with Dhaka University, education advisor Wahiduddin Mahmud assured students on November 5 that the affiliation would be dissolved, and a committee would be formed to assess the situation. As a result, protests were temporarily suspended.
Liberty News’ campus correspondent reports some students continued to oppose this decision, pushing for Titumir College to be fully upgraded to a university. Their demand led to road blockages on the Mohakhali intersection, and even disrupted train services, with reports of stone-throwing incidents damaging windows of the Upakul Express, resulting in injuries to 15-20 passengers.
LND/BAIZID
