Scenes of student protests turned into massive celebrations yesterday as soon as news broke that the government will be withdrawing its VAT on private university education.
The road blockades across the capital transformed into jubilant processions, with students expressing joy for what they are seeing as a victory for the united student movement.
Earlier around 10am, hundreds of private university students came to streets to join the sixth straight day of protests demanding withdrawal of the 7.5% VAT imposed on private university fees.
They staged sit-in programmes, blocking roads in the city’s Uttara, Dhanmondi, Baridhara, Shyamoli, Panthapath, Mohakhali, Banani and Rampura areas.
Like the previous days, the road blockade resulted in huge traffic jams across the capital and caused public suffering.
But when different media outlets started reporting about the government’s turnaround from the VAT decision, the jubilant students called off their demonstrations and started moving away from the streets.
Following the news, the student gatherings erupted in cheers and celebrations, with some students breaking down in tears with joy.
“The authority had to bow to the demands of the students. Private university students have proved that VAT [on education] is unacceptable,” said University of Development Alternative’s BBA student Sakil Ahmed, who joined the celebrations yesterday.
Thanking Sheikh Hasina, he said: “Thanks to the prime minister for understanding that education is not a product. It is a right for all.”
Faiza Ahmed, a student of Daffodil University, said: “Besides students from rich families, many students from middle-class and poor families also come to study at private universities. If VAT on education had been implemented, then it would have been a burden for the low-income families.”
Meanwhile, when the breaking news arrived on VAT withdrawal, there was some confusion among students as they could not get word of any official announcement.
Students of East West University, who were demonstrating near Rampura Bridge, were joined by other students from Independent University Bangladesh as they all brought out a procession around 2pm welcoming the prime minister’s directive to withdraw VAT.
The official announcement finally came when the Finance Ministry issued a press release, signed by Senior Information Officer Md Shahedur Rahman.
The release read: “The government does not want to create any interruption at educational institutions and sufferings in public life. Considering the issue, the government has decided to withdraw the 7.5% VAT imposed on private Universities, medicals and engineering colleges.”
At 2:30pm, Md Salauddhin Mithu, one of the leaders of the student movement, officially announced the end of protests by all private university students.
“If we did not take position on the street, there would have been no solution on the VAT issues” said Rubel, a fifth-year BBA student of East West University.
“It is a great achievement for us. We are glad that we could stage a non-violent protest,” said Ilias, an 11th semester student at EWU who had been involved with the movement since the start.
Rashed, a student of IUB, said: “It is good to see a collective action by all private universities. Without any collaboration, the decision [on VAT] would not have been changed.”
The government decision was celebrated by students from East West University, Daffodil International University students, ASA University Bangladesh, European University Of Bangladesh, State University, United International University, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh, BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology, Asian University, Shanto-Mariam University, and Uttara University.
Titumir students attack demonstrators
The students of Government Titumir College yesterday attacked demonstrating private university students at the Kakoli intersection.
The attack took place when three buses carrying Titumir College students were stuck in the blockade.
Witnesses said Titumir students swooped on the private university students and beat them up indiscriminately.
However, the students from Titumir College claimed that they acted after their buses were vandalised by the demonstrators.