Students block Shahbagh demanding undergraduate degree status for nursing diploma

Several hundred nursing students blocked the Shahbagh intersection in Dhaka yesterday for hours, to press home their demand for upgrading their nursing and midwifery diplomas to undergraduate degree status.

Students took to the streets around 2:15pm yesterday, severely impeding traffic at the busy intersection.

Abu Sayeed, a nursing student, said, "The existing post-HSC Diploma in Nursing Science and Midwifery and Diploma in Midwifery courses must be immediately recognised as equivalent to an undergraduate degree."

Earlier in the day, the protesters had gathered in front of the Bangladesh Nursing and Midwifery Council (BNMC) headquarters, issuing a one-hour ultimatum to the authorities to respond to their long-standing demand. With no response from officials, the students took to the streets in protest.

According to the demonstrators, they have submitted memorandums, formed human chains, and held repeated peaceful protests over time, but their concerns have gone unheeded. So, they are forced to block the road. 

Akash Mia, a member of the Diploma in Nursing and Midwifery Degree Implementation Committee, said in the afternoon, "We will not leave until our demands are met."

Law enforcement intervened later in the evening. 

Khalid Monsur, officer-in-charge of Shahbagh Police Station, confirmed the development and said that following discussions with the protesters, police vacate the area at around 8:30pm.

The students have vowed to continue their movement until their academic qualifications receive the recognition they demand.

Rajshahi Nursing College shut indefinitely

Authorities have declared an indefinite closure of Rajshahi Nursing College following a violent clash between two student groups.

The decision, announced by Principal Mosammat Motiara Khatun through an official notice yesterday, ordered all students to vacate the residential halls by 12pm.

The notice stated, "Due to an untoward incident between the Diploma in Nursing and BSc in Nursing students, all academic activities of Rajshahi Nursing College will remain suspended until further notice." It also warned of strict action against those who disobey the directive.

However, defying the order, students have refused to leave and continue to protest on campus, holding processions and chanting slogans since yesterday noon.

"All the students are staying in the hostels. We will not leave until our demands are met," said Zahirul Islam, a fourth-year BSc in Nursing student, last night.

Their demands include the arrest of attackers, treatment and rehabilitation for the injured, and permanent security on campus and in hostels.

The protest began on 13 May afternoon, when a group of Diploma in Nursing students, allegedly joined by on-duty nurses, attacked BSc students.

At least 10 students were injured and later reportedly assaulted again at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, where they had sought treatment. Police and army personnel later intervened to restore order.