Protesters exhibit proofs of question leak

Demonstrating students will march from Central Shaheed Minar to the prime minister's office today to submit a memorandum demanding fresh tests for admission to medical and dental colleges, alleging that the last exam's question papers had been leaked.

One Khaled Saifullah, on behalf of the demonstrators, announced this at a rally at Central Shaheed Minar yesterday where around 200 admission seekers, guardians and medical college students were present.

Photos proving the leak and showing Thursday's police assault on demonstrators and satirical posters were also exhibited there, said the demonstrators.

The protests began around 10:00am with the collection of signatures expressing solidarity with the demand and a street play.

Admission aspirants and guardians flash placards inscribed with their demand for a fresh test. Photo: Anisur Rahman

One Kamrun Nahar alleged that though her daughter got at least 82 questions correct in the test, she got only 74 marks. "I prepared my daughter for 12 years in the hopes of turning her into a doctor. Because of the question leak and tampering with marks, all her efforts went in vain," she said bursting into tears.

Another, Shewly Hasan, who said her daughter passed HSC from Rifles Publics College, claimed that the UGC official's death in Rab custody on Thursday proved that a conspiracy was on to save the culprits connected with the leak.

Omar Siraj, an assistant director of University Grants Commission (UGC), along with two others were arrested by Rapid Action Battalion (Rab)-4 on September 18, the day the test was held, for his alleged involvement in the leak.

Two students claimed that they were demonstrating despite having passed the test. "We are ready to sit for re-exams to prove ourselves," they said seeking anonymity.

"The authority shamelessly rebutted the question leak allegation despite the presence of sufficient evidence," claimed agitated parents of some admission seekers.

Students and parents said the nation would be insecure at the hands of future doctors who resorted to unfair means.

Bashir Ahmed, an expatriate in Saudi Arabia, said, "My daughter's mark in the admission test was far below the pass mark. But I came here with my child as only eligible students should get the chance (to get admitted), otherwise our medical sector will be ruined."

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal also held rallies and brought out processions in Dhaka, Mymensingh, Kishoreganj, Sunamganj, Chittagong, Narayanganj, and Sylhet over the same demand.

As part of the protest, they also hold a signature collection campaign to muster public support. Photo: Anisur Rahman