Tamirul Millat Students Protest for Hall Reforms, Admit Cards Seized

Students at Tamirul Millat Kamil Madrasah in Tongi, Gazipur, launched a protest demanding hall reforms and other issues, escalating tensions after three students’ admit cards were seized during the ongoing Alim board examinations. The incident, coupled with 13 demands including better hostel facilities, sparked widespread outrage and discussions on social media.

The unrest began on July 30 at around 11:00 PM when students from Shariyat Ullah Hall and Titumir Hall cut off electricity and started protesting. Initial attempts by hall supervisors failed to calm the situation. Vice-Principal Maulana Mizanur Rahman and Hostel Superintendent Maulana Nurul Haq arrived but were unable to control the situation and took refuge in the administrative building. After 45 minutes, students from both halls united in front of the administrative building, raising slogans for hall reforms. Some students made derogatory remarks targeting the hostel superintendent.

At 12:25 AM, Tamirul Millat Central Student Council (TACSU) General Secretary Saidul Islam and Assistant General Secretary Moinul Islam intervened, urging students to avoid insulting teachers. By 2:00 AM, Saidul Islam assured students that the principal would address their demands at 10:30 AM the next day, leading to the suspension of the protest. On July 31, students presented 13 demands, and Principal Dr. Hifzur Rahman agreed to 12, prompting students to end the demonstration.

Tensions flared again on August 3 during the Alim exams when teacher Dr. Salman Farsi seized the admit cards of three students, allegedly for leading the earlier protest. Student Sayem reported being mentally distressed, affecting his exam performance. Another student, Saeed Hasan Maruf, claimed they were told the cards were taken due to their protest involvement, with a promise of return four days after the exams, coupled with a warning against further protests under threat of detention. Students also alleged that since Nurul Haq became hostel superintendent, food quality and cleanliness have deteriorated, with complaints ignored and threats of seat cancellation issued. One student faced pressure over an alleged Tk 15,000 damage claim without seat cancellation, while others had seats revoked.

TACSU’s Saidul Islam condemned the seizure, stating, “Taking admit cards in the exam hall is not teacher-like behavior. We’ve informed the principal, who assured action.” Dr. Salman Farsi told The Daily Campus, “Protests for demands are normal, but insulting teachers is unacceptable. I held the cards to prevent chaos and promised to return them.” Multiple attempts to contact Principal Dr. Hifzur Rahman were unsuccessful.

Tamirul Millat Kamil Madrasah, a leading religious institution under the Tamirul Millat Trust, operates campuses in Tongi, Jatrabari, and Matuail, with over 13,500 students. It offers Hifzul Quran, Dakhil, Alim, Fazil, and Kamil programs, consistently achieving top results, including 1,234 GPA-5s in the 2024 Alim exams.