In Bangladesh, blocking roads to press demands has almost become a standard method of protest. Alongside the common road blockades, there is rarely attention paid to the substance of the protests. This trend has left the country in a state of turmoil, especially in Dhaka, the capital city, which is known for its dense population and bustling nature. Over the past three months, discussions have primarily revolved around the idea of state reform, but what has overshadowed this is the rise of street protests.
Daily, different groups, factions, and communities take to the streets to voice their demands. As a result, Dhaka’s roads are frequently paralyzed, with major repercussions on the daily lives of residents. The city comes to a standstill, and the consequences of these disruptions in terms of lost working hours are immeasurable.
One of the most recent protests that drew attention took place on November 17, 2024, when students of Titumir College in Dhaka organized a demonstration demanding that the college be recognized as a university. The protestors blocked roads and even took the unprecedented step of blocking a railway line in the capital. As is typical with protests in the country, the road blockades were expected, but the railway blockade caught many by surprise.
The question on everyone’s mind was whether the protestors had properly communicated their plan to block the railways in advance. If the public or railway authorities were unaware of the impending blockade, it was evident that chaos could follow. And indeed, this was what happened.
Despite the growing number of protestors on the railway tracks, a train was on its scheduled route. The train driver, aware of the risks posed to the protesters, slowed down in an attempt to prevent any accidents. However, the situation turned dangerous when some protestors began hurling stones at the moving train.
The stone-throwing protestors did not seem to consider the implications of their actions. Everyone knows that it is impossible to stop a train on a dime. Throwing stones at a speeding train was not just reckless; it was dangerous. Several windows of the train were shattered, and more alarmingly, several passengers, including women and children, were injured by the flying glass and stones. The images of bloodied faces of women and children circulated on news outlets, showing the violence and brutality of the act. This incident raised serious questions about the level of empathy among those leading the protests and their consideration for innocent bystanders.
Such extreme actions are difficult to justify. As students of Titumir College demanded the recognition of their institution as a university, one must question if these violent actions were a proper means of achieving their goal. Were the protestors fully aware of the harm they were causing to passengers, who were simply on their way to their destinations? Could they not have chosen more peaceful methods of protest?
In response to the incident, the government reiterated that any demands or grievances should be raised through appropriate channels, with the assurance that the authorities would consider and discuss these issues. However, what is glaringly absent from these protests is the willingness to engage directly with the government. Instead of presenting their case to government officials in a constructive manner, Titumir College students insisted that government representatives come to them for discussions.
Why did these students choose to block roads and railways in the first place? Why did they choose to create chaos rather than engage in productive dialogue? After all, once they saw the extent of the disruption caused by their actions, why did they not switch to a more diplomatic route to communicate their concerns?
The government, for its part, has been actively engaging with students from the seven colleges demanding university status. Discussions have been held, and a committee has been formed to resolve the issue. The government has also acknowledged the students’ grievances, and while there may be room for further dialogue, it is clear that the authorities are working to address the matter. The real question now is why one of the seven colleges, Titumir College, decided to escalate the situation with such a drastic protest when solutions were being sought in a more structured manner.
If Titumir College’s students continue to pursue their demands through protests, will other colleges in the city follow suit? Could we see other institutions blocking roads and railways in the future, demanding university status for themselves? If this trend continues, will every college in Dhaka join the fray, leading to widespread disruption in the city?
The case of Titumir College’s protest highlights a worrying pattern. While peaceful protests are a fundamental right in any democratic society, resorting to violence and endangering the lives of innocent people can never be justified. As the situation in Dhaka continues to unfold, it is essential for students and protesters alike to reflect on their methods and reconsider whether such extreme actions are truly serving the public interest or merely causing further harm.
The Titumir College protest should serve as a reminder that while the demand for education reform is a legitimate one, the means by which these demands are raised should be responsible, peaceful, and considerate of the well-being of others. Violence, especially when it harms vulnerable citizens such as women and children, undermines the legitimacy of any protest and damages the cause it claims to represent.
As we move forward, it will be crucial for both the government and the protestors to find common ground, allowing for discussions to take place in a calm and reasoned manner. Until then, the residents of Dhaka and the commuters who rely on the city’s roads and railways will continue to bear the brunt of this ongoing conflict.