Staff Reporter :
Students and the Jahangirnagar University (JU) Officers-Employees Unity Council have taken opposing stances on the quota for employees’ children.
On Tuesday, February 4, at around 2 PM, students organised a protest march from the university’s Bot Tala area, demanding the complete abolition of the dependent quota.
Earlier, on Sunday, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement began a hunger strike in front of the university’s administrative building to demand the cancellation of the dependent quota. While the administration gave assurances, the students ended their hunger strike that night. However, they resumed the strike the next day. The administration announced a new decision regarding the dependent quota the following night.
According to the new decision, 40 students will be admitted under the dependent quota every year. To qualify for this quota, students must score at least 40%. Additionally, a working individual can use the dependent quota only once and the quota applies to the children of working individuals.
However, this decision led to a protest by officials and staff at 11 AM on Tuesday. They marched to the administrative building, where they allegedly tore down posters advocating the abolition of the dependent quota. Students claim that when they tried to protest, one student was pushed by the staff.
The staff has stated that students must follow the previous rules regarding the dependent quota. In response, the Jahangirnagar University Officers and Staff Unity Council has announced an indefinite strike starting tomorrow, demanding either the complete cancellation of the dependent quota or its reinstatement. The protesting students argue that this decision is directly influenced by the university’s teachers.
On the other hand, students are demanding the full abolition of the dependent quota. A protest march, organiSed around noon, toured ten male residential halls and ended in front of the new administrative building. There, they locked the building with a chain in protest. As of 4:30 PM, the student protest was still ongoing and teachers, staff, and officials were reportedly trapped inside the administrative building.
Students argue that the dependent quota allows unqualified individuals to gain an advantage. They pointed out that although the administration announced reforms to the dependent quota yesterday, they have rejected the proposal and continue to demand its immediate abolition. They have pledged to continue their protest until their demands are met.
Nibrid Bhuiyan, a student from the History Department, stated, “We have gathered in front of the Registrar’s office to demand the cancellation of the illogical dependent quota. We believe that no teacher, official, or staff member of the university can justify the dependent quota. If a farmer’s child from a remote village can study at Jahangirnagar based on merit, then we do not believe that a student who grew up in Jahangirnagar, attended good schools and colleges, should be entitled to any privileges.”
Mohammad Ali Chishti, a student from the English Department, commented, “We went on hunger strike yesterday to demand the cancellation of the dependent quota. Today, officials and staff came to the administrative building and tore down our posters. When I tried to stop them, they pushed me. I request that the administration take action against this incident.”