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Government hints at political motives behind CUET protests as students deny claims

Government officials have suggested political forces may be driving recent protests against the Common University Entrance Test, while student demonstrators have rejected such allegations. The dispute highlights growing tensions over university admission reforms in Bangladesh.

LSN Bangladesh · 13 October 2026

Government hints at political motives behind CUET protests as students deny claims

Some members of the government have indicated they believe political parties may be orchestrating the ongoing CUET protests, though student organisers have firmly denied the accusations. The claims emerged as demonstrations against the centralised entrance examination system have continued to draw significant participation from secondary and higher secondary students across the country.

Government spokespeople suggested that opposition groups could be using student grievances as a vehicle to challenge the examination system introduced to standardise university admissions. However, student leaders have categorically dismissed these allegations, insisting their movement is driven solely by concerns about the test's design, implementation, and impact on educational equity.

The protests have centred on complaints regarding the CUET's difficulty level, technical issues during examinations, and concerns that the system disadvantages students from rural and underprivileged backgrounds. Students have called for reforms to the test format and administration procedures, demanding greater transparency in the evaluation process.

Education officials have defended the CUET as a necessary step toward merit-based university admissions, arguing it reduces reliance on institutional quotas and subjective selection criteria. The government has indicated it remains committed to the system while expressing willingness to address specific technical and procedural concerns raised by students and education experts.

Meanwhile, tensions between authorities and protesters show no signs of diminishing, with student organisations planning further demonstrations to press their demands for immediate reforms to the examination framework.