Differently-abled students of Rajshahi University have blockaded the Dhaka-Rajshahi highway over the abolishment of the quota system for first and second-class government jobs.
The group, unifying under the banner, “Protibondhi Shikkharthi Oikya Parishad”, barred the passage of vehicles around noon on Sunday.
The differently-abled students have 11 demands, including: the establishment of an unconditional 5% quota in government jobs –for physically or mentally-challenged students that– should be instated at the preliminary examination level for government, autonomous, and semi-autonomous jobs; that differently-abled youth be represented at the highest level of government policymaking; that a ministry and national directorate for differently abled people be created;that the age limit for entry into government and non-government jobs increase, etc.
Humayun Kabir, convener of the movement, said: “It is important to address the needs of such a large group in order to develop the country.”
He also said: “Before, we had a mere 1% quota, and now even that is gone, so we have been forced to take to the streets. We are demanding a 5% quota in order to bring this often overlooked community.
“If the demands are not met by tomorrow, we will go on hunger strike,” Humayun added.
On Saturday, differently-abled students formed a human chain in front of the main entrance of Rajshahi University.
