Chakri Protyashi Protibondhi Graduate Parishad (Job-seeking Graduates with Disabilities Council) on Tuesday outlined the full timeline and outcomes of their 25-day nationwide movement, calling for an end to systemic discrimination in public sector recruitment and the immediate implementation of their five-point charter of demands.
The briefing was held at the Dhaka University Journalists’ Association (DUJA) auditorium, “25 Days of Peaceful but Escalating Protest”.
According to the council, the movement—launched on October 19 and continuing until Wednesday—expanded gradually due to repeated inaction despite multiple memorandums, meetings and appeals to authorities.
Key programs included:
Continuous 24-hour sit-in
An eight-day hunger strike by five members
Repeated marches toward the Chief Adviser’s Office, all blocked by police barricades
“Bhuka Michhil” (starvation march)
Symbolic march toward the Bangladesh UN Mission
Blockade and encirclement of the Department of Social Services
Burning of academic certificates and symbolic protest with golden ID cards
Overnight sit-ins and field-level monitoring campaigns
The council emphasized that every program was peaceful and focused solely on establishing equal opportunity for graduates with disabilities.
Two rounds of meetings: partial progress, new committee formed
The council met the social welfare adviser on Tuesday, who gave positive assurances on two of the five demands, and said the remaining demands required inter-ministerial discussion and policy review. Based on this, the council temporarily suspended the protest and withdrew the hunger strike.
A follow-up meeting on Sunday with the director general of the Department of Social Services resulted in the formation of a 7-member joint committee to examine structural barriers in recruitment and propose practical solutions.
The council said they expect “quick, realistic and enforceable recommendations,” reiterating the need for immediate administrative action to address long-standing employment discrimination.
Current position: movement on pause, but not withdrawn
The council announced that the movement remains temporarily suspended, not concluded. They will closely monitor the activities and progress of the newly formed committee. They also warned that if the committee fails to produce meaningful recommendations or if the government delays implementation, the council will announce fresh, tougher programs at any time.
The council’s five-point charter
An executive order from the chief adviser to ensure immediate employment for the graduates with disabilities left jobless since the 2018 quota abolition.
A permanent special recruitment mechanism—every two years—with identified disability-friendly posts and a separate, transparent hiring process.
Reform of the national unified scribe policy.
Reserved recruitment for visually impaired job-seekers in Braille-based and specialized education programs under the Department of Social Services, including PHT centres.
Extension of the maximum age limit to 35 years for applicants with disability in government jobs.