The authorities of Jahangirnagar University (JU) have decided to abolish the ward quota in the admission test for the first year of the university.
Following the continuous movement by university students demanding the abolition of the ward quota, the authorities announced the decision late Tuesday, reports BSS.
JU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Kamrul Ahsan made the announcement in front of the university's administrative building around 12:15am on Wednesday in the presence of protesting students.
At that time, a committee was also formed to submit recommendations for providing institutional facilities to the university's teachers, officers, and employees.
Earlier, the students of Jahangirnagar University had demanded the abolition of the quota system in the admission test from the vice-chancellor.
Following this demand, the university administration cancelled the freedom fighters' grandchildren quota and the VC quota and made some reforms to the ward quota system.
However, last Sunday, students began a hunger strike under the banner of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, demanding the complete abolition of the ward quota.
Later, the university authorities introduced further reforms to the ward quota system. The students accepted these reforms and suspended their hunger strike on Monday night.
Meanwhile, the university's officers and employees began an agitation on Tuesday morning, demanding the retention of the ward quota under the previous rules.
To press their demand, they gathered in front of the administration building, where they clashed with students who were protesting for the quota's abolition.
In response, at 1:30pm, the students resumed their movement, demanding the complete abolition of the ward quota system.
At 2:00pm, the protesting students brought out a procession from the Bottola area. After marching past various halls, they took position in front of the administration building.
Later, the JU vice-chancellor arrived and spoke to the students, asking for four hours to resolve the ward quota issue.
After discussing the matter with the university’s Central Admission Management Committee, the authorities decided to abolish the ward quota entirely.
Bd-pratidin English/Fariha Nowshin Chinika
