The students of Government Titumir College in Dhaka have issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding the conversion of the college into a university and the establishment of an administrative framework for the university.
If their demands are not met, they have announced plans to block roads and railways in Mohakhali starting Thursday.
On Monday, during a nighttime meeting, the organization spearheading the university conversion movement, "Titumir Oikya," made these decisions.
In addition to the blockade, the students have also declared a "Shutdown Titumir" program, suspending all classes and examinations starting Tuesday.
Aminul Islam, a third-year student from the Mathematics Department at Titumir College and one of the protesters, told online news outlet bdnews24.com at 1am on Monday night, “Following protests by students, the affiliation of seven colleges with Dhaka University has been canceled. This has left the colleges without proper oversight. However, we remain steadfast in our demand to convert Titumir College into a university.”
He further added, “We have given 48 hours for the Government Titumir College to be converted into a university and for an administrative framework to be established. If the vice-chancellor and pro-vice-chancellor are not appointed and an administrative structure is not formed within this period, we will implement a barricade program on January 30, blocking roads and railways from Barasat to Mohakhali. Additionally, starting Tuesday, we will boycott classes and examinations as part of our ‘Shutdown Titumir’ program until the state recognizes Titumir University.”
Earlier, on January 7, as part of their demand to convert Titumir College into a university, protesters hung a banner reading “Titumir University” at the main gate of the college.
In response to the protests, the Ministry of Education formed a five-member committee to assess the feasibility of converting Titumir College into a university. However, students allege that the committee is not functioning effectively.
