Students and the Jahangirnagar University (JU) Officers-Employees Unity Council have taken opposing stances on the quota for employees' children.
While the Officers-Employees Unity Council wants to retain the quota, students demand complete abolition despite some proposed reforms.
Both groups staged protests on Tuesday to press their demands.
How the incident began
On Sunday, 14 students at the university began a hunger strike in front of the administrative building demanding the abolition of the quota.
Although they broke up their strike that night after assurances from the administration, they resumed it the next day.
Then, on Monday at around 1am, the administration announced a new decision regarding the quota.
According to the new decision, 40 students will be admitted under the quota each year.
To qualify, a student must score at least 40%.
An employee can use the quota only once for their child.
The quota will apply only to the children of university employees.
However, in protest against this decision, officers and employees staged a demonstration at 11am on Tuesday, marching towards the administrative building.
They demanded the reinstatement of the previous quota system.
Later, they announced an indefinite work stoppage starting the next day to press for the removal of all newly imposed conditions and the reinstatement of the previous quota.
Protesting students claimed that employees tore down posters against the quota abolition. When students objected, an employee allegedly pushed one of them.
The students further alleged that university teachers were backing the employees in this matter.
At around 2:30pm, students gathered at the university’s Bot Tola area and took out a protest march, demanding the complete abolition of the quota.
During the protest, students were heard chanting slogans such as "Spread the word in every hall, bury the employees' quota," "Reform or abolition? Abolition, abolition," "Merit, not quota," and "Come brothers and sisters, let’s build a movement."
Subsequently, students from various residential halls gathered in front of the administrative building, leading to rising tensions between the two groups.
The employees eventually left without concluding their protest.
Meanwhile, more than a hundred students locked the main gate of the administrative building and staged a sit-in protest, trapping teachers, officers, and employees inside.
What the protesting students say
The students argue that the quota system provides opportunities to unqualified candidates.
"The administration announced some reforms yesterday, but we reject them and demand the complete abolition of the employees' quota," they said, vowing to continue their protest until their demand is met.
Nibir Bhuiyan, a student of the History Department, said: "We are protesting in front of the registrar’s building to demand the abolition of this unjust quota. We believe there is no justification for a quota system for the children of university teachers, officers, or employees. If a farmer’s child from a remote village can get into Jahangirnagar University based on merit, why should a student who grew up here and studied in good schools need privilege?"
Mezbahul Haque, a student from the university’s 52nd batch, said: "Our only demand is the complete abolition of the unjust employees' quota. Many meritorious students lose their chance to study at the university because of this system. Those who are admitted under the quota are essentially inheriting privileges from their parents. We don’t want to see this kind of inherited privilege anymore. We will not leave the registrar’s building until the quota is fully abolished."
Mohammad Ali Chishti, a student of the English Department, said, "We went on a hunger strike yesterday demanding the abolition of the quota. Today, employees came to the administrative building and tore down our posters. When I protested, they pushed me. I demand justice from the administration for this incident."
What the officers and employees say
Abdur Rahman Babul, president of the university’s Officers-Employees Unity Council, said: "The quota for employees' children does not affect the opportunities for general students. It is an institutional benefit given to employees, which is available in almost all institutions in Bangladesh. This is our right."
He further said: "We protested this morning demanding the removal of new restrictions on the quota and the reinstatement of the previous system. Our indefinite work stoppage will continue until the previous privileges are fully restored."
What the administration says
University Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Mohammad Mahfuzur Rahman said: "We have introduced some reforms to the quota system, and we are in discussions. A committee has also been formed. There are demands from all sides, and we will hold discussions to reach a reasonable compromise that considers the interests of students, teachers, and employees. We urge all parties to cooperate."
Earlier, on Monday, the university administration decided to introduce changes to the quota system.
Under the new rules, a maximum of 40 students across all departments will be admitted per academic year under the quota.
The minimum qualifying score for admission is 40% (32 marks).
Previously, the quota applied to spouses, siblings, children, and adopted children of employees, but now it will apply only to their children.
Each employee can use this privilege only once in their career.
If they have multiple children, only one can avail of the quota.
Additionally, employees' children cannot be admitted to the same department where their parent works.
