Polytechnic students to hold 'rise in red' protest today over six demands
Under this initiative, the main gates of all polytechnic institutes across the country will be covered with red cloth at 11:30am
Polytechnic students have announced a "rise in red" programme today (19 April) to demand their six-point charter and protest the alleged attack during their programme in Cumilla.
Under this initiative, the main gates of all polytechnic institutes across the country will be covered with red cloth at 11:30am.
Besides, students will form human chains as a peaceful demonstration.
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The Technical Students' Movement platform, representing the protesting students, announced this program around 1am last night (18 April).
In a brief statement, student representative Md Sabbir Ahmed said, "In protest of the shameful attack in Cumilla and the failure to secure the rights of technical education students, the main gates of every polytechnic institute will be covered with red cloth indefinitely starting at 11:30am today."
"In addition, to eliminate discrimination in the technical sector and implement the six-point demand, students will form human chains with placards along both sides of highways or at important locations, without causing public suffering, to draw the attention of relevant authorities and the government," he added.
Earlier last afternoon, polytechnic students held a procession with burial shrouds tied around their heads to press for their six-point demand.
The symbolic "Kafan Michhil" started from Dhaka Polytechnic Institute Jame Mosque in the capital's Tejgaon area at around 2pm after the Jummah prayers.
The procession moved from the mosque to the main road in Tejgaon, circled the Saat Rasta intersection, and returned to the main gate of the institute. After staying there for a while, the students went back inside the institute.
Throughout the procession, students chanted various slogans, including "From uncle to teacher, stop the family favour", "Unite, unite, Polytechnic unite", "Crush the dark hands of conspiracy", "Why the attack in Cumilla? Administration, answer us!"
Among the six demands of the polytechnic students are calls to cancel the "controversial appointment" of craft instructors in 2021, abolishment of open-age admission in the Diploma in Engineering course, legal requirement to reserve positions in the 10th grade (equivalent to sub-assistant engineer) for diploma engineers, and prohibition of appointments of those without technical educational backgrounds.
The students also want a separate "Ministry of Technical and Higher Education" and the formation of a "Technical Education Reform Commission" and establishment of a high-quality technical university.
