Five students from Rajshahi University (RU) began a hunger strike Thursday evening, demanding the elimination of the ‘Ward Quota’ in the 2024-25 undergraduate admissions. The strike, held at the Shaheed Zohar Square on campus, reflects mounting student frustration over the quota system.
The protesting students—Mehedi Hasan Maruf (Population Science and Human Resource), Abul Kalam Azad (Social Work), Wazed (Persian), Al-Shahriya (Folklore), and Mehedi Hasan Masum (Physical Education and Sports Science)—have pledged to continue until their demand is met.
Maruf stated, “Our historic uprising in ’24 was to stand against quota injustices. Retaining this quota now betrays that spirit. We won’t back down until this demand is addressed.”
Another student expressed disappointment over administration decisions: “We’ve advocated against the Ward Quota for years, yet no change has come. Are they truly a marginalized group? If not, why keep this 3% quota? We won’t settle for minor adjustments. Complete abolition is our goal, and if unmet, our protest will intensify.”
Earlier, the admissions committee had adjusted quotas, abolishing the quota for grandchildren of freedom fighters while reducing the ‘Ward Quota’ to 3% (from 4%). Quotas for differently-abled, indigenous groups, and athletes remain unchanged.
Five students from Rajshahi University (RU) began a hunger strike Thursday evening, demanding the elimination of the ‘Ward Quota’ in the 2024-25 undergraduate admissions. The strike, held at the Shaheed Zohar Square on campus, reflects mounting student frustration over the quota system.
The protesting students—Mehedi Hasan Maruf (Population Science and Human Resource), Abul Kalam Azad (Social Work), Wazed (Persian), Al-Shahriya (Folklore), and Mehedi Hasan Masum (Physical Education and Sports Science)—have pledged to continue until their demand is met.
Maruf stated, “Our historic uprising in ’24 was to stand against quota injustices. Retaining this quota now betrays that spirit. We won’t back down until this demand is addressed.”
Another student expressed disappointment over administration decisions: “We’ve advocated against the Ward Quota for years, yet no change has come. Are they truly a marginalized group? If not, why keep this 3% quota? We won’t settle for minor adjustments. Complete abolition is our goal, and if unmet, our protest will intensify.”
Earlier, the admissions committee had adjusted quotas, abolishing the quota for grandchildren of freedom fighters while reducing the ‘Ward Quota’ to 3% (from 4%). Quotas for differently-abled, indigenous groups, and athletes remain unchanged.