Polytechnic students march with shrouds in protest over 6-point demands

Students from government and private polytechnic institutes across the country staged a symbolic protest on Friday by marching with white shrouds on their heads, demanding the fulfillment of their six-point charter and condemning the recent attack on fellow students in Cumilla.

As part of a nationwide demonstration organised by the Technical Students' Movement Bangladesh, a mass march began from the Hall Mosque premises of Dhaka Polytechnic Institute after Jumma prayers. The procession moved through Tejgaon Ardarsha School and College Road to Satrasta, where students gathered briefly before returning to campus.

During the demonstration, students chanted slogans such as “Mama to Master, Uncle's House Demand,” “Unite, Unite, Polytechnic Be Unite,” and “Why the Attack on Cumilla, Answer the Administration.” They also vowed to continue their protests until their demands are met.

The movement gained momentum following Thursday night’s announcement of the mass march. On Thursday evening, students had also organised a torchlight procession in Dhaka and other parts of the country, alleging betrayal by the Ministry of Education during earlier talks and demanding justice for the Cumilla incident.

Polytechnic students have been staging protests for over a month and a half, holding sit-ins and blocking roads and railways in districts nationwide. On Wednesday (April 16), students gathered at the Satrasta intersection in Dhaka from 10 am, staging a day-long sit-in.

In solidarity, students in other regions blocked highways and railway lines. Although they had planned a countrywide railway blockade from Thursday morning, the protest was temporarily suspended after receiving a government invitation for dialogue.

However, Thursday’s meeting at the Secretariat ended in disappointment as only an additional secretary was present. Students described the discussion as unproductive and warned of intensified protests.

The students’ six-point demands include:

1. Cancellation of the 30% promotion quota for craft instructors to the post of junior instructor.
2. Reversal of the decision to promote craft instructors to junior instructor roles.
3. Modification of craft instructors' job titles.
4. Dismissal of those involved in filing cases against protesting students.
5. Cancellation of the 2021 appointments of craft instructors.
6. Immediate revision of controversial recruitment regulations.

Leaders of the movement have warned that failure to meet these demands will lead to stricter and more widespread demonstrations in the coming days.