Students’ Strikes Demanding Safer Roads, Halts Country

Massive student protests across Bangladesh has brought the country to a standstill. Dhaka, in particular, is witnessing the most active participation of the students across all educational institutions demanding safer roads and traffic facilities in the country. The student protest, which has taken the shape of a movement by now, started demanding justice for the death of two students who were killed in a road accident recently.

Social media is flooded with photos, videos and posts demanding greater road safety and this has mobilized the whole of Bangladesh, leading the country to a grinding halt. In the videos, students are seen playing the role of vigilant traffic police by checking the driving license and other necessary documents of the drivers. Even the police officers were asked to show their license. In one video a minister is seen compelled by the students in school uniform to change his car, as his driver can’t produce the driving license, on their demand.

The number of protesting students, is said, increasing and has crossed more than ten thousand. Now the agitated students have issued nine demands and presented it before the government to lift their strike, including capital punishment for irresponsible driving on the roads.

Amidst all this, an insensitive remark by a minister also intensified the agitation, when the Minister Shajahan Khan is seen laughing at on hearing the incident of the accident and seen saying that more deaths happen in Maharashtra but no such protests were seen in India. The remark led the protest to a violent turn when students started setting vehicles on fire and police are seen firing tear gas on the students.

Sensible citizens, parents, and teachers too have joined with the students showing their solidarity with the cause for better road safety laws. The celebrities of Bangladesh too have echoed the same thoughts urging that it is the high time for the government and traffic police to take strong action against reckless drivers.

Dhaka based Sociologist and Founder of PFDA – Vocational Training Center, Sajida Rahman Danny says, “If there is any positive change that can be made to bring back good governance on the road, it is the school students who can bring these to us. We have been suffering from corrupt traffic control system and lack of rule of law!!! It is time to change!!!”

Transport services in Dhaka and other cities of the country were suspended yesterday, which is causing difficulties to the commuters and travelers across the country. Dhaka wore a deserted look with all its prominent areas like Elephant Road, New Market, Dhanmondi, Farmgate, Shahbagh, Uttara, and Airport road were without vehicles. Government run bus service Bangladesh Road Transport Commission, BRTC buses are seen plying on some routes without passengers.

The student protest is triggered after two students of Shaheed Ramizuddin Cantonment School and College were killed by a speeding bus on Airport Road in Dhaka on July 29. Now it is for everyone to see, how the government settles the demands of the students.