Polytechnic students hold mass procession wearing ‘burial shrouds’ to push for 6-point demands

The students are threatening to conduct blockades of roads and railways to push for their six-point list of demands, but have not announced the timing

Polytechnic students have held a mass procession while wearing burial shrouds to push for their six-point list of demands.

The students conducted the protest programme after the Jummah prayers at the mosque behind the Dhaka Polytechnic Institute. They marched to the Saat Rasta Intersection, turned around and then returned to the institute.

In a briefing after the procession, Jobair Patwari, a representative of the protest platform Karigari Chhatra Andolon and a student at the Dhaka Polytechnic Institute, said: "We say to the government - accept our demands as soon as possible and we will clear the road. Ensure the fair investigation and trial of the attacks on our Cumilla brothers. Ensure their proper medical treatment. We are interested in holding talks with you."

Karigari Chhatra Andolon representative and Dhaka Polytechnic Institute student Md Mashfiq Islam Dewan said, "This government is our government – a government of students, a government of revolutionaries. We are ready to fully cooperate with this government. We want the government to eliminate the discrimination that exists in the technical education sector.”

In response to a question, he added: "Our senior brothers, who are former students of our polytechnic institutes and are studying at Gazipur’s DUET (Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology), will declare an ultimatum. We have repeatedly given the government more time, please consider our demands and implement them."

"We are planning a programme that may involve a blockade of highways and railways, which we will inform you (the media) about later."

Frustrated with the outcome of a lengthy meeting with education ministry officials on Thursday, the protesters announced further programmes to press for a six-point list of demands.

Rehena Yasmin, additional secretary of the Technical and Madrasah Education Division of the Ministry of Education, led the talks on behalf of the ministry.

On Wednesday, students had blocked roads in key areas of the capital including Tejgaon, Mohammadpur, and Mirpur, as part of their protest.

Their simultaneous occupation of busy roadways led to severe traffic gridlock in rush hour, bringing distress to commuters.

Later, the protesters said they would take to the rail tracks across the country on Thursday to further their cause.

Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman Khan, principal of Dhaka Polytechnic Institute, was also removed from his post amid intensifying protests.

Shahela Pervin, the vice-principal of the institution, was given additional responsibility as the principal.

Following are the six demands made by the protesting students:

Cancellation of the High Court verdict promoting craft instructors to junior instructor posts, along with a change in the title of craft instructor, permanent dismissal of all involved in the case, and immediate annulment of the 2021 recruitment rules. Protesters also demanded a fair investigation and action against those responsible.

Continuation of the four-year Diploma Engineering course, and the formulation of a modern, standardised syllabus and curriculum.

Exclusive eligibility for the post of Deputy Assistant Engineer and equivalent (10th grade) for students who have completed a four-year Diploma in Engineering or Monotechnology (Surveying). Private diploma graduates should receive a minimum basic salary of Tk 16,000.

Enforcement of the Technical Education Reform Committee's report outlining the appointment of technically educated personnel in positions such as directors, deputy directors, principals, and others within the technical sector.

Revision of all controversial recruitment rules under the Directorate of Technical Education and publication of recruitment notices to fill vacant posts with technically educated teachers and lab assistants in polytechnic institutes and Technical School and Colleges (TSCs).

Publication of a gazette to establish a university for higher education of Diploma in Engineering and Monotechnology graduates, and reservation of 100 percent of seats for them in the proposed four engineering colleges in Naogaon, Thakurgaon, Narail, and Khagrachhari.