Students from seven colleges affiliated with Dhaka University (DU) staged a protest at the Science Lab intersection in the capital on Sunday evening, blocking the busy area to voice their demands. The protest, which began around 6 PM on January 26, led to severe traffic congestion in the Science Lab, Nilkhet, and Elephant Road areas.

The students were protesting against several issues they believe affect their academic and administrative interests. They called for the immediate cancellation of what they referred to as an "unjust quota system" in the admission process for the 2024-25 session. Additionally, they raised concerns over overcrowded classrooms and the need to enforce proper student-teacher ratios. They also demanded the implementation of a negative marking system for exams and the establishment of transparency in the admission fee structure. According to the protestors, any money related to college admissions should be deposited in a new account, not the university's existing accounts, ensuring proper oversight by a specialized committee formed by the education ministry.

During the protest, the students alleged that their attempts to discuss their demands with the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) of Dhaka University and several faculty members were met with disrespect. The students felt they were humiliated and ignored during their interactions, which led to an escalation of the protest.

The protestors' demands reflect ongoing dissatisfaction among the student body over certain administrative practices at the affiliated colleges. They argue that reforms in the admission process, classroom management, and fee transparency are crucial for the betterment of education at these institutions.

The protest disrupted daily life in the surrounding areas, with commuters facing long delays due to the blocked roads. Despite the challenges posed by the protest, the students remained firm in their stance, calling for immediate action from both the university and the government to address their concerns.