‘No classes, exams from tomorrow if govt fails to issue gazette’

The quota reformists today threatened to boycott classes and examinations in all universities and colleges across the country for indefinite period from tomorrow if the government fails to publish a gazette abolishing quota system by 5:00pm today.

Muhammad Rashed Khan, joint convener of Bangladesh Sadharan Chhatra Adhikar Sangrakkhan Parishad, came up with the announcement while talking to reporters on Dhaka University campus today.

They were talking to reporters after observing a strike from 11:00am to 1:00pm demanding publication of a gazette regarding abolition or reform of quota system.

As part of their programme, students of different universities and colleges today boycotted classes for two hours as the government failed to issue the gazette by Thursday, the deadline set by the protesters.

The students of Dhaka University brought out a procession from DU Central Library around 11:30am.

A group of DU students stage demonstration in front of DU Central Library on Sunday, May 13, 2018, demanding the issuance a gazette abolishing quota system in public service. Photo: Prabir Das

The procession ended at Raju Sculpture on the campus marching different roads, including Nilkhet, Dowel Chattar, Shaheed Minar and High Court area of the capital, witnesses said.

The processionists were chanting slogans in favour of their demand.

The protesters did not attend classes during the two-hour strike, our DU correspondent said, adding that the examinations were held as per the schedule.

Nurul Huq Nur, a joint convener of Bangladesh Shadharan Chhatra Odhikar Sangrakkhan Parishad, told The Daily Stat that they would continue their movement till the demand is met.  

In Chittagong University, around 100 students formed a human chain at Sholoshohor Railway Station demanding the immediate declaration of gazette for quota abolishment.

Photo: Abdullah Abbas

In Rajshahi University, around 500 students brought out a procession on the campus around noon, which paraded different point of the campus.

Photo: Arafat Rahaman

Later, they formed a human chain before the central library demanding the immediate publication of gazette.

The protesters on Wednesday threatened to begin demonstrations from Sunday if the government failed to publish the gazette by Thursday.

In April, students of public and private universities across the country took to the streets with the demand. Police charged truncheons and fired tear gas shells on the demonstrators on DU campus, injuring at least 163.

The protesters blocked key points in the capital and roads and highways elsewhere.

In the wake of mass protests, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in parliament on April 11 declared that the quota system would be scrapped.