Dhaka Polytechnic principal removed amid student protests

Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman Khan, the principal of Dhaka Polytechnic Institute, has been removed from his post following student protests. He has been reassigned to the Directorate of Technical Education.

This decision was confirmed in a notification issued on Wednesday night (April 16) by the Technical and Madrasah Education Division of the Ministry of Education. The notice was signed by Deputy Secretary Mohammad Mizanur Rahman Talukder.

In the same order, Sahela Parveen was appointed as the new principal of the institute.

Earlier on Wednesday at around 10 am, students of the polytechnic gathered at the Sat Rasta intersection in Tejgaon, Dhaka, and began a protest and sit-in to press home their six-point demands. In solidarity with the Dhaka protesters, students in various districts across the country also carried out road blockades.

After a day-long demonstration, the protesting students announced fresh programmes around 6:30 pm. According to the new announcement, they will launch a railway blockade in Dhaka and other parts of the country starting Thursday (April 17) morning. They have also called for a non-cooperation movement.

Meanwhile, following the removal of the principal, reports began circulating that the planned railway blockade might be withdrawn. However, conversations with several representatives of the Technical Student Movement did not confirm this.

Speaking to Jago News, the student leaders stated that Thursday's railway blockade will proceed as planned. They emphasized that the movement will continue until a written commitment is provided regarding the fulfillment of their six-point demands.