Chattogram, Aug 30 (V7N) – Students of the Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) organized a torch rally on Friday night in protest of the recent police assault on engineering students during a peaceful demonstration in Dhaka. The rally also condemned reported threats of rape against female students and death threats targeting students of the Bangladesh University of Textiles (BUTEX).

Full Report:
As part of a nationwide protest program led by engineering students across Bangladesh, CUET students staged a torch rally that began at the central roundabout of the campus and marched through various academic buildings and dormitories before ending at the university’s main gate. The demonstration was organized in solidarity with fellow students who were allegedly attacked by police forces during a Dhaka-bound long march advocating for long-standing demands regarding fair recruitment policies in the engineering sector.

Protesters carried torches and chanted slogans demanding justice and reform. A faculty member was also seen joining the rally in a gesture of support, highlighting the growing concern within academic circles over the recent incidents and the students’ demands.

According to Mahi Al Wahid, a fourth-year student from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, the rally was prompted by multiple incidents that have alarmed the student community. “We organized this torch rally to protest the brutal police attack on our fellow students in Dhaka, the rape threats made by diploma students against our female peers, and the threats to kill our friends from BUTEX,” he said.

Wahid demanded immediate and stern action against those responsible for the threats and violence, urging the government to ensure justice and proper treatment for the injured students. He also expressed hope that the authorities would respond promptly to the students’ demands and eliminate long-standing discrimination within the engineering profession.

The students reiterated their three core demands during the rally:

  1. No form of quota-based recruitment in the ninth grade; only BSc engineering graduates should be eligible for appointment.

  2. Diploma holders must complete a BSc in Engineering to qualify for the same job positions.

  3. Equal opportunities must be ensured for both diploma and BSc engineers in the tenth grade.

  4. The title of “engineer” must only be used by individuals holding accredited engineering degrees.

The torch rally at CUET reflects the wider unrest among engineering students across the country who have accused the government of overlooking their legitimate demands and allowing systemic discrimination in recruitment and professional recognition. Protests have spread to various campuses in recent weeks, raising questions about the handling of technical education policies in Bangladesh.

The CUET administration has yet to release an official statement regarding the rally or the students’ demands. Further demonstrations are expected if the issues remain unresolved.

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