A group of students from Dhaka University (DU) have organised a protest rally x in front of the vice chancellor's residence, demanding the cancellation of the affiliation of seven colleges and the construction of a new hall for female students, reports UNB.
The protesters emphasised that both the university and the students from the colleges do not support the affiliation.
They issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the university administration at 4:00 pm on Friday, warning of escalated actions-including class and exam boycotts and locking administrative buildings-if their demands are not met.
Raihan Ferdous, co-coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, said students from both DU and the seven colleges want the removal of the affiliation.
He also noted that 53 per cent of DU students are female, yet they only have five residential halls. He questioned how new administrative buildings could be constructed for the seven colleges when there is insufficient accommodation for DU students.
He added that DU is an autonomous institution, and any decision regarding it should be made by the university administration and students. He insisted that they do not accept the affiliation of the 7 colleges.
Nusrat Imroz, a resident student of Bangladesh Kuwait Maitree Hall of DU, shared her experience of living in a gonoroom for two years before finally obtaining a valid seat.
She said t some master's students are still living in gonorooms. She said the university authorities are unable to build a new hall for students due to budget constraints, but how they could manage to construct a new administrative building for the seven colleges.
She stated that they urgently demand the cancellation of the 7 colleges' affiliation and that any new construction built at DU should be for female students.
In response to the protest, the DU authorities have initiated urgent discussions with relevant advisers and high-ranking government officials, prioritising the issue.
Recognising its public importance, the government has responded positively and agreed to hold an urgent meeting at the ministry level with the concerned students and key stakeholders, likely on Sunday.
