Shahbagh has turned into a scene of confrontation. Police and candidates protesting the date of the 47th BCS written examination became engaged in repeated chases and counter-chases.

The clash broke out on Tuesday afternoon (25 November).

Tensions escalated in the Shahbagh area as police attempted to disperse the protesters using water cannons and sound grenades. Despite the intervention, many of the examinees regrouped and continued their sit-in near the Faculty of Fine Arts. Traffic movement through Shahbagh remains completely halted.

According to the demonstrators, at least 25 people were injured during the confrontation. Meanwhile, Shahbagh Police Station’s officer-in-charge, Khaled Monsur, stated that he was hurt after being struck by bricks allegedly thrown by protesters.

The OC said, “They hurled bricks at us. I was also injured. They are still occupying the road.”

Earlier in the afternoon, the candidates had started a march from the Central Shaheed Minar toward Jamuna, the residence of the chief adviser. When they reached Shahbagh intersection, police stopped them with barricades. Unable to push through, the protesters sat down on the road, and the situation began to deteriorate soon after.

For several days, the candidates have been organizing rallies, sit-ins, hunger strikes, and blockades to press their demand. They have blocked rail lines in Rajshahi, Khulna, and Mymensingh, as well as the Dhaka–Aricha highway. They warn that if the examination date is not changed, they will boycott the test.

Participants argue that previous BCS batches were given six months to a year to prepare for the written exam, whereas this time the gap is significantly shorter, which they say is unreasonable. Therefore, they are demanding a postponement and additional preparation time.

Meanwhile, according to the PSC schedule, the 47th BCS written examination is set to begin on 27 November in eight cities—Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chattogram, Khulna, Barishal, Sylhet, Rangpur, and Mymensingh. The commission has already completed all preparations, including publishing the seating plan.