HSC students block Dhakas Shahbag intersection demanding education minister resignation
Protesting students paralyzed traffic at the Shahbag intersection in Dhaka on Wednesday evening, escalating their demands for the resignation of the Minister of Education following widespread anger over the administration of Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations during inclement weather and instances of erroneous question papers.
The demonstrators, who had previously staged a rally at the Science Laboratory intersection earlier in the afternoon, marched toward the Ministry of Education as part of a planned protest. Upon reaching the Education Building around 4 p.m., the students were confronted by police barricades. They remained at the site for approximately 90 minutes, chanting slogans against the ministry’s leadership before moving to occupy the Shahbag intersection at roughly 6 p.m.
The blockade brought vehicular movement to a complete standstill in one of the capital's busiest transit hubs. The students, citing systemic negligence in the examination process, have signaled that their primary objective remains the immediate resignation of the Minister of Education.
Rohan Hasnat Jihad, a humanities student at Mirpur Bangla School and College, told the local press that the protesters are unified in their stance. According to the students, the ministry’s handling of the examinations has demonstrated a blatant disregard for the welfare of the student body, necessitating a leadership change to ensure accountability.
