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Tensions have escalated at Rajshahi University following protests by students against the reintroduction of the “dependent quota” in admissions, a policy that grants preferential admission to children of faculty and staff members.
On Saturday afternoon, a confrontation took place between students and faculty members outside the Zubery Bhawan as the latter attempted to force their way inside.
The clash resulted in injuries to several students and journalists.
The protests began on Friday afternoon when nine students initiated a hunger strike in front of the university administration building, demanding the cancellation of the quota.
By 2:30pm on Saturday, when Prof Mohammad Main Uddin, the university’s pro-vice-chancellor, arrived at the administrative building, students blocked his vehicle, shouting slogans against the policy. They threw money at the vehicle in protest.
Subsequently, when Prof Main and Proctor Prof Mahbubur Rahman attempted to enter their residences, students locked the doors, preventing their entry.
This led to further confrontation when a group of faculty members, including the pro-VC, attempted to enter the Zubery Bhawan. As they pushed forward, students stood in protest, shouting slogans.
Witnesses said as the university officials pushed forward, several students fell during the push. Faculty members continued their advance, entering the building as students and journalists suffered injuries in the chaos.
By 5:30pm, students had trapped the pro-VC and faculty members inside the Zubery Bhawan, continuing their protests.
Slogans such as “One, two, three, four, all of them are frauds,” “Against the dependent quota, let’s ignite the fire”, and “Dependent quota no more” rang out in the air.
Outside, university staff and officials gathered in solidarity with the faculty, facing off against the students. Tensions ran high as the two groups confronted each other.
Proctor Mahbubur said the students had trapped the Pro-VC Main in his home and locked him in his residence. He recounted how students blocked their way back to the building, during which he lost his wristwatch and Tk 10,000 in the melee.
“While pushing may be expected, losing my wristwatch and money is certainly not normal,” he said.
The protests intensified after the administration approved the resumption of the dependent quota for the 2024-2025 academic session in a meeting held on Thursday evening.
Angry over the decision, students gathered in front of the VC’s residence to protest.
Previously, on Jan 2, the vice-chancellor had decided to abolish the quota permanently in response to student protests. However, since Aug 13, a section of faculty and staff had resumed their movement for its reinstatement, resulting in a full-scale strike in late August.