Technical Tensions Tamed: Polytechnic Protest Temporarily Suspended
Students of the Technical Students' Movement have announced a temporary suspension of their ongoing protests demanding six key reforms, including job assurance, promotions, and access to higher education. The announcement was made during an emergency press conference held at Dhaka Polytechnic Institute around 8:00 PM on Tuesday, April 22, by movement representative Zubayer Patwari.
Addressing the media, the students stated, “An eight-member committee has been formed to formulate a roadmap for implementing the six demands. They have requested three weeks’ time. Based on this, we have decided to suspend our movement, placing trust in the ministry and the committee. However, if we do not see significant progress within the stipulated time, we will resume our protests.”
The students affirmed that they will evaluate the committee's activities and subsequent steps before taking any further decisions. They also warned of launching stricter movements if necessary. Academic activities will only resume after assessing the situation. As part of the ongoing strategy, the entry of craftsmen into campus premises will remain restricted.
During the press conference, the students demanded the complete annulment of the court ruling that had earlier been suspended.
On April 16, students of polytechnic institutes across the country launched a widespread protest by blocking roads, highways, and railway tracks to press home their six-point charter of demands. Though they had announced a “rail blockade” for April 17, the program was softened after receiving a proposal for dialogue from the education adviser. However, as the adviser was unavailable, a meeting with the Additional Secretary (Technical Division) ended in failure. In response, students staged a torchlight procession later that evening, followed by a protest march on April 18 with symbolic white funeral cloths tied around their heads.
On April 19, they draped the entrances of polytechnic institutes across the country with red cloths as part of their “Rise in Red” campaign, and on April 20, a grand rally was organized to further their cause.
