The protest rally of private university students which was set to be staged in front of the PMO has ended up outside Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University in face of police obstruction.
Hundreds of protesting students, who attended the demo to press home their demand for withdrawal of VAT on private sector education, were barred at Karwan Bazar on thier way to the Prime Minister's Office Thursday. Later, they took position in front of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University.
The National Board of Revenue, on July 4, issued a notification imposing 7.5% value added tax (VAT) on tuition fees of students of private universities, and medical and engineering universities and colleges.
The students announced that they would discontinue their higher studies in the respective private institutions if the government decision was not scrapped.
They made a call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to withdraw the VAT imposed on the tuition fee of students of private universities in order to ensure equal rights in pursuing higher education.
In the proposed budget of 2015-16, the government imposed 10% VAT on private universities, medicals and engineering colleges for the first time in the country.
Later, the VAT was reduced to 7.5% following request of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Yesterday morning the students of private universities gathered at Shahabag intersection for marching towards the PMO.
Around 12:30pm, barred by police, the students chose to carry out their demonstration in front of the BSMMU.
Requesting the Prime Minister, Farhan Habib, an organiser of the platform “No VAT on Education,” said: “You are like a mother to us, so withdraw VAT on education considering our future.”
Jahin Faruk Amin, a student of University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh, said: “The newly imposed VAT will severely hinder the education system. Already education at private universities are expensive. Imposing a VAT would make it a lot more difficult for many students.”
Shiblee Noman, assistant commissioner (Ramna zone) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), told the Dhaka Tribune: “The protesters were barred considering public interest. Their protest programme could have led to massive traffic jam in the surrounding areas.”