HSC examinees protest in Dhaka, 4 other districts, demand education minister's resignation
Protests were held in Dhaka, Bogura, Barishal, Chattogram, and Faridpur over the government's decision to continue HSC and equivalent examinations despite adverse weather conditions.
HSC and equivalent examinees staged demonstrations in Dhaka and four other districts today (14 July) to press home their three demands, including the resignation of Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon within 24 hours.
Protests were held in Dhaka, Bogura, Barishal, Chattogram, and Faridpur over the government's decision to continue HSC and equivalent examinations despite adverse weather conditions.
The two other demands are the suspension of HSC examinations until adverse weather conditions fully improve and re-examinations for candidates who missed the 13 July exams because of the weather.
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At Science Lab, protesters took to the streets at around 11:30am, bringing traffic to a halt on both roads.
Students from Dhaka College, City College, Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Abdur Rouf College, Noor Mohammad Public College, Dhaka Imperial College, Cambrian College and several other educational institutions joined the demonstration.
During the protest, they chanted slogans, including "One demand, one point, Milon's resignation," "Our rightful demands must be met" and "Action, action, direct action.
Towaha Yasin Hossain, assistant commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Traffic Division (New Market Zone), told The Business Standard that traffic from Shahbagh towards Science Lab remains suspended because of the blockade.
He said police are trying to speak with the protesters and bring the situation under control.
At around 11:30am, another group of students blocked the road in front of the BNS Centre in Uttara.
Md Rubel Haque, additional deputy commissioner of the DMP Traffic Division for Uttara, told TBS that traffic on the Dhaka-Mymensingh road has come to a halt due to the blockade.
Ayman Mahmud, a protesting student, said the education minister has treated students as "opponents" since taking office.
He also alleged that question papers from the 2025 examinations have been used at several centres.
HSC examinations should remain suspended until adverse weather conditions improve, he added.
The protesters also demanded fresh examinations for candidates who could not sit for the physics and accounting exams yesterday because of the weather, saying the minister should apologise to students.
Siam, another student, said many candidates faced severe hardship travelling to examination centres because of the bad weather, but the examinations were not postponed.
He added that examinations are being held before the full syllabus could be completed, leaving many students unable to perform as expected and causing mental distress.
