BCS protests spread to Rajshahi

Students of Rajshahi University have set up a road blockade on the Dhaka-Rajshahi highway demanding cancellation of the quota system.

The agitation started a day after a group of examinees set up a daylong blockade at Dhaka's Shahbagh intersection on Wednesday after the 34th BCS preliminary examination results were published on the basis of quota.

In the face of the agitation, the Public Service Commission agreed to review the results of the tests.

However, the protesters are not only demanding cancellation of the results and fresh tests in its place.

They now want the entire system of quota to be abolished and merit be the only criterion in selection.

Nearly 500 students set up a barricade in front of the Rajhshahi Univerisity main gate, obstructing the Dhaka-Rajshahi highway at 10:45am Thursday.

Tailbacks followed as traffic came to a stop over almost half a kilometre.

Nirob Hossain, a Masters student of History at the university said that depriving hard working students with merit can never bring the country any good.

"We will stay on the roads if the quota system is not cancelled," he said.

The Public Administration Ministry Secretary on Wednesday told bdnews24.com that the government currently has no plans to reform the quota system.

PSC announced the results of the 34th BCS preliminary examinations on Monday. Examinees have alleged that even students with high marks did not clear the test because of the quota system.