A National University examination centre has been shifted for a day from Gazipur's Bhawal Badre Alam Government College without any prior notice, as local Awami League is going to hold a public meeting on the campus today.

The authorities of the university would hold today's exams in nearby schools and collages following requests from the college principal.

The new committee of Gazipur Awami League would hold the meeting around 3:00pm. AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader is expected to attend it as the chief guest, sources said.

According to the NU, around 1,600 students of Tongi Government College are about to sit for their master's exams, starting at 1:30pm, on different subjects at the Bhawal Badre Alam Government College exam centre.

The students of Bhawal Badre Alam Government College will take part in their exams at the Tongi Government College exam centre. 

Examination controller of NU Mohammad Badruzzaman said though the NU did not issue any prior notice regarding shifting the centre, “they took initiatives so that students would get the message."

A notice had already been put up on the college notice board to this end, he said, adding that a team from the NU would be sent to the shifted exam venues so that the exam would be held in a peaceful atmosphere.

Meanwhile, the decision of shifting the examination centre for a political meeting has sparked criticism.

"Such decisions are unethical, unsystematic and harmful. No student and guardian can accept this,” said Jahirul Haque Mandol Bachuchu, general secretary of Gazipur Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, which is a component of the AL-led 14-party alliance.

There would be an uncertainty among the students and guardians whether the exam would be held peacefully at the new centres, he added.

Jerina Sultana, principal of Bhawal Badre Alam Government College, said, “The decision was made after talking to NU VC, exam controller and the people concerned."

She added that they gave permission to hold the meeting on the college premises after getting an application from Gazipur AL in this regard.

The number of examinees is always high and it is their routine duty to hold exams at multiple venues, she said.

Shafiqul Islam, a former Chhatra League leader and also senior lawyer of Gazipur district judge court, criticised the decision, saying it might cause trouble for the students as the examination venues are near the spot where the meeting would be held.

Contacted, Sakhawat Hossain, additional superintendent of Gazipur police, said, “As usual, police will provide security during the pubic examinations."