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Published : 22 Jul 2025, 07:16 PM
The area around the Secretariat has descended into chaos after protesting students stormed the premises, demanding the resignation of Education Advisor CR Abrar.
Law enforcement responded with baton charges, tear gas shells, and multiple stun grenades to disperse students, pushing them out of the compound on Tuesday.
However, hours of back-and-forth clashes continued in surrounding areas, particularly around Zero Point and Gulistan, leaving at least 40 students injured and requiring treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
The protests stemmed from widespread outrage over the government’s delayed response to Monday’s Air Force jet crash at Milestone School and College in Diabari, which killed dozens and left scores more injured, mostly schoolchildren.
In the wake of the tragedy, students and parents had demanded Tuesday’s HSC exam be postponed, but the official notice came only around 3am, far too late for many who showed up at their exam centres only to be turned away.
Frustration mounted after confusion surrounding who issued the exam postponement, first appearing on Facebook via information advisor, quoting Education Advisor Abrar, while the education ministry itself issued a formal statement hours later.
The perceived negligence fueled the students’ fury.
By Tuesday noon, students from several major institutions, including Dhaka College, City College, Ideal College, Adamjee Cantonment, and Birshreshtha Munshi Abdur Rouf Public College, gathered outside the Dhaka education board and then marched toward the Secretariat.
Among them were hundreds of HSC examinees, demanding justice, accountability, and resignations.
Initially protesting peacefully in front of Secretariat’s Gate No. 3, students gradually expanded their blockade, forcing the closure of several other gates.
Tanvir, a student of City College, said: “Exams get postponed in Gopalganj over minor issues, but not after a deadly jet crash in the capital? They finally postponed it at 3am. How would students know by then? Many had already left home in the morning.”
“We hold the education advisor and secretary directly responsible,” he continued. “We won’t stop until they resign.”
Arefin, another protester from Munshi Abdur Rouf College, added: “We’re tired of exam paper errors, administrative apathy, and this cycle of mismanagement. We want systemic reform, and those responsible must step down.”
As tensions escalated, students breached Gate No. 3 and entered the Secretariat. Inside, they reportedly vandalised parked vehicles, prompting an aggressive police crackdown. Tear gas filled the air as officers drove protesters back outside with batons and sound grenades.
Though some calm briefly returned around the Secretariat, clashes resumed near Zero Point, where bursts of sound grenades echoed repeatedly. The police said they were doing their best to bring the situation under control.
“The situation is tense,” said Deputy Police Commissioner Mohammad Billal Hossain. “We’re trying to contain it. No time to speak.”
By late afternoon, students remained scattered across Gulistan and Zero Point. Though several Secretariat gates were reopened to allow trapped government staff to leave, police once again used force around 5:45pm to clear remaining protesters.
DMCH police outpost chief Md Faruk said the injured were being treated in the emergency ward of the hospital.
Injured students included: Ashik, 19, Rakibul Hasan, 21, Asad Ahmed, 18, Hasan, 18, Afsana, 18, Mugdha, 19, Antor, 20, Shakil, 23, Shawon, 19, Tansin, 20, Siam, 18, Mahim, 18, Redwan Islam, 20, Hasib, 18, and Nehal, 20.
As of Tuesday evening, student voices remained defiant: “This isn’t just about an exam. This is about lives lost and an administration that failed them.”
