A sudden protest broke out at Eden Mohila College on Tuesday night as students demonstrated against what they described as “strict and undemocratic” regulations recently imposed by the college administration.
According to eyewitnesses, the protest began around 9:45pm on campus, where a large group of students marched in defiance of a newly issued 27-point directive.
The protesters voiced strong opposition to several rules that they claim infringe on personal freedom and are disconnected from the realities faced by students.
The students alleged that the new regulations, particularly those imposed on hostel residents, are both unreasonable and oppressive.
Among the new rules are mandatory meals in the hostel dining hall three times a day, a ban on keeping electronic items such as rice cookers, kettles, heaters, irons, and mini refrigerators in hostel rooms, and a strict order requiring the main gate to be closed by 9pm. The policy also mandates student attendance at hostels between 8:30pm and 9:30pm. Violations could result in confiscation of electronic devices and fines of up to Tk1,000.
Students claim these measures fail to consider the realities of urban student life, particularly for those who work part-time jobs or provide private tuition in the evenings.
They also criticised the quality of food served in the dining hall, which they say is substandard and overpriced, making the mandatory meal rule an additional burden.
“The decision to enforce such critical policies without any consultation is against democratic values,” said one protesting student. “We are calling for the immediate withdrawal of these directives.”
Despite the unrest, college authorities have yet to issue any formal response regarding the student protest.