Students of Jahangirnagar University (JU) blocked the Dhaka-Aricha highway for half an hour, demanding the reformation of the quota system in government jobs and the restoration of the 2018 circular.
The agitators warned of a daylong blockade on Wednesday if the hearing of the Appellate Division goes against the students' demands.
The one-point demand of the students is to abolish all kinds of unreasonable and discriminatory quotas in all grades, to bring the quotas to the minimum level for the backward groups mentioned in the constitution, and to amend the quota system by passing a law in the parliament.
Protesting students blocked the highway at 3:45pm on Tuesday. Hundreds of students gathered in front of the university's main gate to join the movement.
Students announce daylong Bangla Blockade on WednesdayMeanwhile, a long traffic jam was created from Radio Colony to Nabinagar. However, students were seen allowing the ambulance carrying patients on the opposite side of the road. The blockade was removed after 45 minutes, and traffic resumed as usual.
Agitating student Ahsan Labib said: "Tomorrow (Wednesday), if the hearing goes against us, the whole of Bangladesh will be immobilised if necessary.
JU Anti-Discrimination Student Movement Joint Convener Zahidul Islam Imon said: “We do not want to cancel the quota, but to reform it. If our demands are not met, we will block the highway for a day from tomorrow.”
Anti-quota protests: Is it an endless battle?JU Anti-Discrimination Student Movement Joint Convener Tauhid Siam said: "Our movement is the movement of mass people. We will continue our agitation until our demands are met."
Earlier, along with the protest and blockade program, students of 34 departments and three institutes of the university also boycotted classes and examinations. They said they will not return to class until their demands were met.
