RU suspends ward quota reinstatement amid student protests

Rajshahi University (RU) authorities have suspended their decision to reinstate the ward quota amid student protests.

A media release, signed by Public Relations Officer and administrator Prof Akhtar Hossain Majumdar, announced the suspension around 1 am on Saturday.

According to the release, unrest had been prevailing on the campus over the use of institutional facilities during the student admission process.

An emergency syndicate meeting has been called for Sunday to review the overall situation on the campus.

Rejecting the suspension, students demanded a complete cancellation of the decision through the executive authority of the Vice-Chancellor (VC).

Shortly after the announcement, students gathered in front of the VC’s residence at about 1:30 am, warning that their movement would continue unless their demands were met.

Frustrated with the administration’s inaction over the ward quota, protesters on Saturday afternoon confined several officials, including Pro-VC Prof Main Uddin, Registrar Prof Iftikharul Islam Masud, Proctor Prof Mahbubur Rahman, and PRO Prof Akhtar Hossain Majumdar, to Zuberi Building, leading to an alleged scuffle between the demonstrators and the officials.

Angered by the incident, students vandalised some windows and other structures of the building.

In protest, the Nationalist Teachers’ Forum announced a full-day work stoppage on Sunday, demanding disciplinary action against those responsible.

Prof Abdul Alim, president of the forum and a faculty member of Agronomy and Agricultural Extension, extended support to the programme.