Female students of Titumir College once again took to the streets on Sunday, rejecting a statement made by the education adviser and reiterating their demand for official state recognition of Titumir College as a university.
The protesting students issued a stern warning of intensified demonstrations.
Education Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud earlier made it clear that there is no plan to declare Titumir College an independent university.
Abdul Hamid, a student of the Political Science Department at Titumir College and a participant in the movement, said: “The adviser's remarks today are entirely contradictory and inconsistent with his previous statements. We categorically reject his comments and are prepared to escalate our protest further.”
Hamid emphasized that students had been awaiting an official state declaration of Titumir College as a university.
“Many of our fellow students are on their deathbeds. Those on hunger strike are in critical condition. Even in such a dire situation, the adviser is mocking us. He will be held accountable for this,” he asserted.
Nasrin Akter, another student who joined the protest after leaving the dormitory, condemned the adviser’s stance.
“The education adviser has deceived 35,000 students. We will ensure an appropriate response. A more intense movement will be launched and we will not leave the streets until Titumir College is granted official university status,” she declared.
During a press briefing at his office following an Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) meeting at the Planning Commission, Education and Planning Adviser Wahiduddin said: “The government-formed committee is working towards establishing an independent university for the seven colleges [previously affiliated with Dhaka University] including Titumir. It is not logical to set a deadline for declaring Titumir College as a university.”
He further clarified: “We cannot establish a university simply in response to student demands and leave the responsibility of its sustainability to the next government. Such a decision cannot be made impulsively.”
It is noteworthy that students of Titumir College have been on a continuous hunger strike for five consecutive days, demanding university recognition.
