Principal Position Passes at Dhaka Polytechnic Amid Student Protests
Following days of student protests, Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman Khan has been removed from his post as Principal of Dhaka Polytechnic Institute. Deputy Principal Sahela Parvin has been assigned to serve as the Acting Principal, in addition to her current duties. This change was made official through a notification issued by the Madrasa and Technical Education Division of the Ministry of Education on April 16.
According to the circular, signed by Deputy Secretary Mohammad Mizanur Rahman Talukder, the former Principal, Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman Khan, has been attached to the Directorate of Technical Education.
Prior to this development, students of polytechnic and technical institutions across the country, including in the Tejgaon Satrasta area of Dhaka, held daylong road blockades on Wednesday, pressing six-point demands. They later announced plans to escalate their movement by initiating a railway blockade starting Thursday, April 17, and also called for a non-cooperation movement.
Although news spread that the railway blockade might be withdrawn following the principal's removal, student representatives of the ongoing technical students' movement denied the claim. According to them, "The movement will continue until we receive a written and concrete commitment to fulfill our six-point demands."
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir issued a statement calling for a “logical and acceptable solution” to the crisis. The student organization also demanded justice for the attacks on polytechnic students during the protests.
In a joint statement signed by Central President Zahidul Islam and Secretary General Nurul Islam Saddam, the organization said,
"Nearly 400,000 students are currently studying in polytechnic institutes across Bangladesh. It is a key responsibility of the government to nurture their skills and utilize them for national development. Therefore, we urge the authorities to demonstrate responsibility by addressing the students’ demands through in-depth analysis and ensuring timely, practical solutions."
