Tensions have escalated at Rajshahi University following protests by students against the reintroduction of the “dependent quota” in admissions, a policy that grants preferential admission to children of faculty and staff members. By 2:30pm on Saturday, when Prof Mohammad Main Uddin, the university’s pro-vice-chancellor, arrived at the administrative building, students blocked his vehicle, shouting slogans against the policy. This led to further confrontation when a group of faculty members, including the pro-VC, attempted to enter the Zubery Bhawan. Slogans such as “One, two, three, four, all of them are frauds,” “Against the dependent quota, let’s ignite the fire”, and “Dependent quota no more” rang out in the air. The protests intensified after the administration approved the resumption of the dependent quota for the 2024-2025 academic session in a meeting held on Thursday evening.

Source: bd News24 September 20, 2025 18:51 UTC