Cuet students hold red card protest against ‘diploma syndicate’

Students of the Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (Cuet) staged a symbolic "red card" protest yesterday (1 September) against what they described as a "diploma syndicate".

The programme was held at the university's basketball ground at 5pm, where students raised red cards and alleged a campaign of conspiracy, intimidation, and threats of murder and rape aimed at suppressing their three-point movement.

University authorities, including Student Welfare Director Prof Md Mahbubul Alam, Deputy Director Prof Md Abu Moazzem Hossain, and Assistant Prof Md Masum Rana Pramanik, were present at the demonstration.

They observed the programme and exchanged views with the students.

Cuet students said their movement to realise their demands would not stop under any circumstances.

They declared that threats or intimidation would not deter them and urged the authorities to resolve the crisis through a logical solution.

Iftekhar Mahmud, a fourth-year student of the Civil Engineering Department, said, "This programme is our protest against the diploma syndicate. Our rightful demands cannot be stopped by force or threats, and we will not be pushed back. We will not stop until our demands are met."

Notably, on 27 August, police baton-charged and fired tear gas at engineering students in Dhaka during a demonstration over their three-point demands.

Earlier on 25 August, Rokon, a Buet graduate working in the Northern Electricity Supply office, was allegedly verbally abused and assaulted by diploma engineers. They also reportedly threatened to kill him.

Additionally, students said a Buet student was threatened with rape by diploma students, which sparked strong reactions across the country.

As part of their ongoing movement, Cuet students have organised road blockades, torchlight processions, and human chains in recent days.