Dhaka Medical College Closed Indefinitely Amid Student Protests

Staff Reporter

Dhaka Medical College (DMC) has been declared closed indefinitely in the face of ongoing student protests. The college administration has also instructed students to vacate the hostels by 12 PM tomorrow, June 22, Sunday.

The decision was taken during an emergency academic council meeting held on Saturday.

A notice signed by DMC Principal Professor Dr. Md. Kamrul Alam stated that all academic activities for the MBBS program will remain suspended until the situation normalizes.

However, students appearing for professional examinations and foreign students have been exempted from the hostel evacuation order, according to the notice.

For several weeks, DMC students have been protesting against hazardous residential buildings and deteriorating academic infrastructure. They have been holding continuous demonstrations, raising concerns over dilapidated dormitories, uncertainty regarding the budget for new buildings, and lack of transparency in project implementation.

On Friday, students submitted a memorandum to the college administration with a five-point demand and staged a sit-in at the campus’s Milon Chattar. Their demands included urgent alternative housing for abandoned dormitories, budget approval for new academic and residential buildings, and ensuring student representation and transparency in project implementation.

The announcement of the college closure has evoked mixed reactions among students. While some view it as a “repressive tactic” to suppress the movement, others describe it as an “emergency measure” to manage the situation.

Students say they have long endured housing shortages and unsafe living conditions in risky buildings. Despite repeated appeals, the administration failed to take effective action, leaving them no choice but to protest.

Meanwhile, the college administration claims the decision was made considering student safety and the unstable campus environment.

DMC Principal Professor Kamrul Alam said, “Students of Dhaka Medical College have been protesting demanding the immediate construction of hostels. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Housing and Public Works has declared one of the old dormitories uninhabitable. Yet, some students continue to stay there despite being asked to vacate.”

He further added, “Every year, a reception is held for first-year MBBS students. This year, DMC students announced a boycott of the event. A committee has been formed to investigate these matters. Considering all aspects, Dhaka Medical College has been closed indefinitely.”