HSC examinees protest near PM’s motorcade at Dhaka University

HSC examinees protested near Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's motorcade at Dhaka University on Tuesday, demanding the resignation of Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon and the postponement of exams due to severe waterlogging and continuous rain.

The students marched from the Science Lab intersection towards the Shiksha Bhavan around 1:15pm, but police intercepted them at the university's mall area. 

The blockade triggered a tense situation as the Prime Minister was attending a state program, titled 'Youth, Startups and Potential Bangladesh', at the nearby Nawab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban.

Meanwhile, Law enforcement agencies were deployed to secure the area, while Chhatra Dal General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir later visited the scene to speak with the demonstrators.

Earlier from 11:00am, students from 12 to 15 colleges, including Dhaka City College, Government Bangla College, and BAF Shaheen College, blocked major intersections at Uttara's BNS Center and Science Lab. The blockades caused severe gridlocks across Science Lab, New Market, and Dhanmondi, causing immense suffering to commuters.

The protesters complained that the ongoing inclement weather and flooded streets made reaching the examination centers nearly impossible. 

The examinees gave a 24-hour ultimatum for the Education Minister to step down, warning of stricter programmes if the government fails to meet their demands.