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said giving a deadline to meet such a demand was illogical.

“We will no longer make decisions under pressure. Taking a hasty and illogical decision now will become a burden in the future,” he told reporters after an ECNEC meeting.

If the Titutmir College students wished to protest, they should have done it without causing public suffering, he said. The demonstrators should also realise that the interim government was not formed to fulfil every demand, the adviser added.

“Our goal is to establish a well-governed democratic system, and in the process, we can introduce some minor reforms, but not necessarily can we meet every demand.”

Regarding the affiliation of seven colleges with Dhaka University, the education

Wahiduddin mentioned that Titumir College was among seven colleges affiliated with Dhaka University, but the colleges and the university recently took a “reasonable” decision to part ways.

The education ministry then formed a special expert committee led by the University Grants Commission chairman to explore the possibility of bringing the seven colleges, including Titumir College, under a new independent university-like institution.

“This committee is already engaging with students from these colleges to understand their grievances,” Wahiduddin said.

Besides these seven colleges, there are many prestigious and historic colleges across the country, none of which was turned into a university, he said.

He criticised the previous Awami League government for the rapid establishment of public universities without preparation during its rule.

“We have 55 public universities in the country and half of them have been established in the last seven years. Bangladesh has set a record for the rapid establishment of universities, whereas, under normal circumstances, it takes years to do that from planning to execution,” he said.

The protesting students of Titumir College continued their demonstration on Bir Uttam AK Khandakar Road outside the institution in Mohakhali, rejecting the adviser’s statement.

They resumed the blockade of the road that links Mohakhali and Gulshan 1 around noon yesterday for the fourth consecutive day, bringing traffic to a complete halt.

After the education adviser made the comments on their demand, the protesters marched to Amtoli intersection in the evening, blocking the Mohakhali-Banani road as well.

They ended the demonstration for the day around 8:00pm, vowing to return to the streets if their demands were not met. Their other demands include the opening of law and journalism departments at the institution.