Complete shutdown underway at Engineering Universities

Students at engineering universities across the country initiated a complete shutdown on Thursday boycotting classes and examinations as part of a coordinated protest announced last night by the Engineers’ Rights Movement General Secretary, Sakibul Haque Lipu.

The movement, centered on three core demands, seeks to reform recruitment and professional recognition within the engineering sector. Lipu emphasized that the protest will persist until the demands are fully addressed but assured the public that field activities are being limited to minimize inconvenience.

The next phase of the movement will be unveiled during a press conference scheduled for 5 p.m. on Thursday at the Institute of Engineers, Bangladesh.

The primary demand calls for mandatory entry tests for all candidates seeking recruitment at the ninth grade engineering level or for positions such as assistant engineer. Protesters insist that eligibility should be restricted exclusively to candidates holding at least a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in engineering. They strongly oppose promotions granted through quotas or by creating equivalent posts under different designations.

Secondly, the students demand that recruitment examinations for tenth grade technical or equivalent positions, such as sub-assistant engineer, be opened to both diploma and BSc degree holders.

Their third key demand seeks legal action against individuals who use the title of “engineer” without possessing a BSc degree in engineering.

Following the nationwide call, students at the Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) observed a full shutdown, suspending academic activities since early morning. The university’s transport pool buses remained stationary, rendering the campus largely deserted.

Bachelor’s degree engineers from BUET, CUET, and other institutions have united in the protests, firmly opposing the use of the “engineer” title by diploma holders.

Demonstrations also took place at Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET), where students blocked major city roads to press their demands and protest alleged police brutality against engineering students during prior demonstrations in Dhaka.

Earlier on Wednesday, police deployed tear gas, sound grenades, batons, and water cannons to disperse students marching toward the Chief Adviser’s official residence at Jamuna. Several students sustained injuries and required hospitalization, according to Md Sabbir Ahmed, coordinator of the Engineers’ Rights Movement.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) reported that at least eight officers were also injured amid the clashes.

Following a 12-hour sit-in protest at Shahbagh, students ended their demonstration after DMP Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali expressed regret over the police’s actions. At approximately 10 p.m., the commissioner personally apologized to the protesters, calling the police response near the InterContinental Dhaka “unfortunate.”

In response, the students announced they would refrain from any further activities causing public disruption but confirmed their intent to continue dialogue with the government to ensure their demands are met.

The Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) also issued a strong condemnation of the police’s handling of the student protests.

The Engineers’ Rights Movement has vowed to maintain pressure through legal and peaceful channels until the issues raised are satisfactorily resolved.