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Published : 20 Sep 2025, 12:22 AM
A student at Rajshahi University has launched a fast-unto-death to protest the reinstatement of the dependent quota for children of teachers, officers and employees in first-year admissions.
Asadul Islam, a student of Sanskrit in the 2020–21 session, sat in front of the university’s administration building around 5:30pm on Friday.
He wrapped his head and body in a white shroud and displayed a banner reading: “Hunger strike unto death against the reinstatement of the tumour-like depenedent quota at Rajshahi University.”
Asadul said: “The quota for which so much blood has been shed cannot exist in this university. It must be uprooted completely. I will continue my strike until the decision is withdrawn. If students could remove 17 years of dictatorship, we can also break this dependent quota syndicate.”
Citing examples of “discrimination”, he said: “I was admitted to Sanskrit with 68.5 marks, while others with 40 marks entered faculties such as Law or English under the depenedent quota.
“Students from villages who score 60–70 lose out on good departments, many even fail to get into the university. I want an end to this injustice.”
Proctor Prof Mahbubor Rahman said, “We are aware of the issue and are keeping track of his condition.”
On Sept 17, a section of teachers, officials, and employees warned of a full-day work stoppage from Sept 21 if the dependent quota was not restored.
In response, the admission committee on Thursday afternoon approved the decision to reinstate the quota for children of teachers, officials, and employees under conditions for the 2024-25 academic year.
That evening, students staged a sit-in outside the vice-chancellor’s residence in protest.
Earlier on Jan 2, facing a student movement, the vice-chancellor had announced the permanent abolition of the quota.
But from Aug 13, a group of teachers, officials, and employees began a work stoppage and sit-in strike with an eight-point demand including the restoration of the dependent quota.
