Group of DU students still for metro rail route shift from campus

A group of Dhaka University students yesterday claimed that the construction of the proposed metro rail route through the campus would be a violation of the constitution because it would diminish the beauty of historical establishments in the area.

On behalf of the protesters, Ujma Tazrian, a third-year student of law, read out a written statement during a press conference at Madhur Canteen of DU.

She said the historical establishments like Raju memorial, the fine arts faculty buildings, the mausoleum of three national leaders, Dhaka Gate, Bangla Academy, and Doyel Chattar would lose their attraction due to the rail line.

She cited Article 24 of the constitution, which states, "The state shall adopt measures for the protection against disfigurement, damage or removal of all monuments, objects or places of special artistic or historic importance or interest.”

She said, “So the construction of the metro rail route will be a violation of the constitution.”

They also claimed that it would violate the National Historic Preservation Act because the act did not allow any big structure within a radius of 200 metres of such establishments.

The academic atmosphere on the campus would also be affected, they said.

The students demanded shifting of the route elsewhere, and announced a cartoon exhibition on the fine arts faculty premises on February 11.

A mass signature collection campaign is also going on, and more than 12,000 people have already expressed solidarity with the demand, said Tazrian.

The 20.1km rail route runs from Uttara to Motijheel through DU campus.