Despite calls for a second consecutive day of demonstrations demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dr A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon, Shahbagh remained free of protesting Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) candidates on Wednesday, with traffic moving largely as normal after examinations concluded.
The demonstrations were announced in response to two issues that have fuelled widespread anger among students. Protest organisers criticised the government’s decision to continue HSC and equivalent examinations despite severe weather conditions affecting parts of the country. They also alleged that the Education Minister had referred to examinees as “farm chickens”, a remark they described as disrespectful and unacceptable. On the basis of these grievances, students demanded the minister’s resignation and planned a fresh round of protests following the day’s examinations.
While the protests continued to attract national attention, public examinations proceeded as scheduled across 59 districts. Candidates sat examinations in five HSC and equivalent subjects on Wednesday. The examinations began at 10:00 am and concluded at 1:00 pm, in line with the official timetable.
Student organisers had earlier announced that immediately after the examinations they would stage demonstrations and begin a “Long March to the Ministry of Education”. In Dhaka, participants were expected to gather at several designated locations before marching towards the ministry.
However, after the examinations ended, no organised group of protesting students was seen at Shahbagh, one of the capital’s busiest and most politically significant intersections, where demonstrations frequently take place.
A visit to the area showed a largely routine working-day atmosphere. Office workers, commuters and pedestrians continued their daily activities, while traffic moved steadily despite the usual congestion caused by the heavy volume of vehicles. Although some slow-moving traffic was visible, no major disruption or road blockade was reported.
The presence of members of the law enforcement agencies was noticeably higher than on an ordinary day. Security personnel were deployed across key points in and around Shahbagh, apparently as a precautionary measure in anticipation of possible gatherings or attempts to block roads following the examinations.
The protest plans announced on Tuesday night had outlined simultaneous demonstrations in Dhaka and other parts of the country. In the capital, students had identified several assembly points, including the BNS Centre in Uttara, Shahbagh, Science Laboratory and Moghbazar. From these locations, they intended to organise coordinated marches towards the Ministry of Education after candidates completed their examinations.
Although Shahbagh remained calm immediately after the examinations, organisers had previously indicated that protest activities could continue in different parts of the capital and elsewhere, depending on student participation. The developments come as authorities continue to hold public examinations according to schedule despite the ongoing controversy surrounding the students’ demands and the wider debate over examination arrangements during adverse weather conditions.
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