Dhaka, July 27, 2025: Students of Rabindra University in Bangladesh staged massive protests in Dhaka on Sunday, demanding the resignation of Environmental Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan over the prolonged delay in constructing the university’s permanent campus. The students allege that despite nearly a decade since its founding, the university still operates from a rented building, with no visible progress toward a permanent facility.
Hundreds of students blocked the Dhaka-Pabna highway near the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) bus stand in Sirajganj from 10 a.m., forming human chains and staging sit-ins. The protest led to severe traffic congestion, causing long queues of stranded vehicles and distress among commuters.
The primary demand of the students is the swift approval of the Development Project Proposal (DPP) for the permanent campus. They argue that the delay is unjust and discriminatory, questioning why their university continues to be deprived of proper infrastructure while others move forward.
Frustration grew following a recent visit by Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan to the proposed site on July 16, where she remarked, “This demand is logical, but in Bangladesh, one must persist for a long time to achieve anything.” Her comments, perceived as dismissive, further angered the students.
According to The Dhaka Tribune, the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government has yet to allocate any funds for campus construction, exacerbating the crisis. On Saturday, students wore black badges and rejected a symbolic day program offered by the university administration, insisting instead on concrete action.
In response to the growing unrest, the university administration has postponed all scheduled recruitment examinations, including written and oral tests for the Bangla, Economics, and Management departments.
Students have vowed to continue protests until their demands are met and proper accountability is ensured.
