Polytechnic students to stage nationwide protests today

Polytechnic students across the country are set to stage coordinated protests today, Thursday, following the suspension of a recruitment examination for engineering posts under Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL).

The Bangladesh Technical Students’ Movement announced the protest programme late Wednesday night. In a press release signed by its office secretary, Sabbir Ahmed, the organisation urged students of all government and private polytechnic institutes to join demonstrations in their respective areas.

According to the statement, the protests are being organised in response to the suspension of DMTCL’s recruitment examination for Section Engineer positions, which was scheduled to be held on August 15. The suspension came after a writ petition filed by a group of BSc engineers, prompting a directive from the High Court.

The students have termed the writ "illogical" and accused the petitioners of attempting to exclude diploma engineers from the recruitment process. They also alleged a conspiracy to block access to 10th-grade Sub-Assistant Engineer positions, which have traditionally been open to diploma holders.

Earlier on Wednesday evening, students gathered in front of the Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) to protest the decision.

The suspension of the exam has sparked widespread criticism among students of polytechnic institutions, who are demanding equal rights and opportunities in the government engineering sector.

At the time of reporting, preparations for protests were underway in multiple districts, with organisers stating that demonstrations would continue until the recruitment process is reinstated and diploma engineers’ participation is ensured.