Job seekers block Dhaka-Aricha Highway again demanding postponement of 47th BCS written exam
The renewed blockade caused significant congestion and widespread disruption, leaving commuters stranded in long tailbacks
A group of job-seeking students from Jahangirnagar University resumed their blockade on the Dhaka–Aricha Highway near the university's main entrance (Dairy Gate), demanding that the 47th BCS written examination be postponed.
The demonstrators had earlier occupied the highway for nearly two hours today (25 November), from 12:30om to 2pm, before temporarily lifting the blockade to ease public suffering.
However, the students returned to the highway at 2:30pm, resuming their protest and once again bringing traffic to a standstill.
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The renewed blockade caused significant congestion and widespread disruption, leaving commuters—among them garment workers, school and college students, office employees and traders—stranded in long tailbacks.
Travellers from all walks of life faced severe inconvenience as the major route remained obstructed.
The protesters later announced that their demonstration would continue indefinitely until their demand for rescheduling the examination was met.
Attempts to contact Jahangirnagar University Proctor AKM Rashidul Alam for comment on the situation were unsuccessful.
Law enforcement officials, when approached regarding the blockade, declined to comment.
A pedestrian who was stuck due to the students' blockade told The Business Standard, "I just came from Ibn Sina Medical after donating blood, but I am suffering because of the students' blockade. Their protest may be justified, but they are increasing our suffering.
"I have been stuck for an hour. I am unwell, yet they are not letting me pass. We don't know how long this blockade will continue, but the suffering is becoming unbearable for us," he added.
A student representative participating in the protest said, "We have taken to the streets demanding a postponement of the 47th BCS written examination. Roads are blocked not only on the Dhaka–Aricha highway but across the entire country. We will continue our blockade on the streets until our demands are met."
Meanwhile, a parent affected by the protest said, "My child has an exam tomorrow, and we have been stuck on the road for an hour. They [children] need time to prepare, but we see no solution. Even if their movement is justified, it should be carried out in an appropriate place. Blocking highways and causing suffering to passengers and people traveling from distant places is not acceptable in any way."
