Engineers’ Education Erupts: Students Stage 'Complete Shutdown' over Three Demands
The student movement in engineering universities has reignited over three key demands. Leaders and activists of the Engineers’ Rights Movement declared a “complete shutdown” of all engineering universities across the country beginning Thursday, August 28.
Earlier, Professor Dr. Abu Borhan Mohammad Badruzzaman, Vice Chancellor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), condemned the baton charge on protesting students as “unacceptable” and demanded accountability against those involved.
He stated, “To address the students’ demands, I, along with the Pro-Vice Chancellor, met with the education advisers and highlighted the legitimacy of the demands. We urged them to form a committee and resolve the issue. As a result, a committee has now been established.” However, during his address to students, many chanted “fake, fake,” while vowing to continue demonstrations until their demands are met.
At a rally in Shahbagh on Wednesday, August 27, at 10:30 p.m., Saquibul Haque Lipu, General Secretary of the Engineers’ Rights Movement, announced new programs, saying: “Our programs will continue until our demands are fulfilled. From tomorrow, all engineering universities will observe a complete shutdown. No classes or examinations will be held.”
Lipu further alleged, “None of our three demands have been met. Those sitting in policymaking positions know nothing about our movement.”
The protesters’ demands include: recruitment for Assistant Engineer posts in the 9th grade must be limited to BSc degree holders through examinations; candidates with higher qualifications should be allowed to apply for positions in the 10th grade; and only those who have completed BSc in Engineering should legally be entitled to use the title of ‘engineer.’
Students also claimed that between 60 and 65 of their peers were injured in the police crackdown, while police reported that eight of their members were injured and admitted to Rajarbagh Central Police Hospital.
In response, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sajjat Ali visited the students in Shahbagh on Wednesday night, offering an apology and assurance that an investigation committee would be formed on Thursday.
That evening, railway adviser Fauzul Kabir Khan and environment adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan met with the protesting students. After the meeting, Adviser Khan said, “The clash between police and students was unfortunate. The students’ demands are related to employment and recruitment. These will be reviewed with all concerned parties before decisions are made. The door for dialogue remains open. However, constant blockades of Shahbagh or marching to Jamuna is not a solution. We will continue communication with the students.”
Meanwhile, students from BUET and other engineering universities have been staging sit-ins at Shahbagh since Tuesday, August 26.
According to eyewitnesses, around 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 27, students marching toward Jamuna were stopped by police in front of Hotel Intercontinental. Scuffles broke out, followed by the use of tear gas, sound grenades, and water cannons to disperse the students, who responded with brickbats. The situation caused panic and significant public disruption.
Masud Alam, Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Ramna Division, said, “Students were asked to wait at Shahbagh for discussions, but they suddenly attempted to march toward Jamuna and tried to break through barricades. Police were then compelled to intervene.”
In solidarity with BUET, students from Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET), Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET), Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET), and Pabna University of Science and Technology (PUST) also staged protests.
In view of the escalating crisis, the government has formed an eight-member committee to review the legitimacy of the professional demands of BSc and diploma engineers and to recommend solutions. A Cabinet Division notification on Wednesday named Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan, adviser to the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources, the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, and the Ministry of Railways, as head of the committee.
Adviser Khan said, “A fair solution will be proposed after reviewing the students’ demands.” However, the protesting students have already rejected the committee.
Clashes between police and students occurred in Dhaka on Wednesday afternoon when students from BUET and other engineering universities attempted to march from Shahbagh to the Chief Adviser’s residence at Jamuna. Repeated confrontations and chases ensued throughout the afternoon.
