HSC Candidates Protest Near PM’s Venue at DU

Protesting Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) candidates took up positions on the Dhaka University (DU) campus, directly adjacent to the venue where Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was attending an event. The development unfolded on Tuesday (July 14) morning after students marched into the campus from the Science Laboratory intersection, drawing a massive deployment of law enforcement agencies and attracting the attention of student political leaders.

Earlier in the morning, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attended a special summit titled "Youth, Startup, and the Bangladesh of Possibilities" at the Nawab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban of Dhaka University. The event was organized to integrate youth innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurial potential into mainstream national development, where the Prime Minister attended as the chief guest and interacted directly with students in a Q&A session.

Simultaneous to the summit, protesting HSC candidates—demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Hoque Milon over his rigid stance on continuing exams amid severe weather, flooding, and urban waterlogging—began marching toward the Shikkha Bhaban (Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education) to siege the building. The procession, which initiated from Science Lab, reached DU's Mall Area at around 12:45 PM, where police barricades intercepted their progress.

A standoff ensued at the Mall Area, with a large contingent of police surrounding the demonstrators. Minor scuffles and heated exchanges were reported between the security personnel and the agitated students as they attempted to push past the blockade.

With the high-profile prime ministerial event taking place nearby, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir, along with a group of activists, arrived at the spot to mediate, de-escalate the tension, and speak with the demonstrating students. Law enforcement agencies remain on high alert to maintain order in the surrounding areas.