Students across the country blocked key intersections in Dhaka and national highways as part of the 'Bangla Blockade' on Monday (8 July), demanding the abolition of all "irrational and discriminatory" quotas in all grades of government jobs.
On the second day of “Bangla Blocade”, students of Dhaka University (DU) blocked intersections at Shahbagh, Banglamotor, Karwan Bazar, Farmgate, Chankarpool and Naya Paltan.
Under the banner of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, hundreds initially gathered at the DU central library at 3:30pm, proceeding with processions from various halls.
Photo: BFirst
They marched through locations including the central library, Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall, VC Chattar, TSC, and Shahbagh.
Photo: BFirst
Meanwhile, students from Dhaka College and Eden Mohila College caused major traffic jams on Mirpur Road by blocking intersections at Nilkhet and Science Lab. Jagannath University (JnU) students blocked Zero Point in Dhaka, one of the most important areas of the city, which includes the secretariat.
Cumilla University (CU) students blocked the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, leading to heavy traffic congestion.
Photo: BFirst
At Jahangirnagar University (JU), students blocked the Dhaka-Aricha highway at 3pm today. The protesters began gathering in front of the university library at 2pm and by 2:30pm, they headed for the highway and blocked the road.
Students from Rajshahi University (RU) blocked the Dhaka-Rajshahi railway line from 12pm to 4pm today, disrupting rail communication between Rajshahi and other parts of the country.
Meanwhile, students from Begum Rokeya University protested against the quota system by blocking the Dhaka-Rangpur highway for an hour and a half. The protest rally at the modern junction of the Rangpur-Dhaka highway lasted from 12pm to 1:30pm.
Students from Barishal University blocked the Barishal-Kuakata highway at around 12pm, with the blockade being withdrawn at 3pm.
Photo: BFirst
The protest was sparked by a recent High Court decision declaring the government's 2018 cancellation of the 30% quota system for the heirs of freedom fighters in civil service jobs of ninth to 13th grades (first and second class jobs) illegal.
Until 2018, 56% of posts in government jobs were reserved for various quotas. These included 30% for the children of freedom fighters, 10% for women, 10% for districts, 5% for minority groups, and 1% for the disabled. In response to student agitation, the Cabinet recommended abolishing quotas in first and second class jobs, opting instead for a merit-based system.
On 4 October 2018, the Ministry of Public Administration issued a circular amending the existing quota system for first and second class government jobs. However, the quota system was maintained for third and fourth class jobs.
