Anti-quota DU students block Shahbagh, uni teachers continue protesting 'Prottoy'
Teachers at public universities vowed to continue their protest until the Prottoy scheme is withdrawn
Two separate protests by public university teachers and students resulted in a deadlock in public universities across the country with the suspension of academic activities for the second day.
Students of Dhaka University blocked the Shahbagh intersection in the capital on Tuesday (2 July) for an hour against the reinstatement of quota in recruitment for first- and second-class government jobs.
DU students initiated a procession in front of the DU central library which ended in front of the Shahbagh intersection after passing through Nilkhet and New Elephant Road with placards and festoons in hand and then blocked the road.
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The agitators vowed to continue their movement with more activities today.
Abdul Kadir, a student of the Department of Sociology, said, "Our movement will continue until the hearing of the Supreme Court on 4 July. The students will continue the movement ignoring all the sun and rain until their demands are met."
Abu Musa, a student of Political Science, said, "The discrimination with ordinary students is reminiscent of pre-independence exploitation and oppression. Depriving a state of talent in this way will create major obstacles to development and good governance."
The main demand of the students is the reinstatement of the government's 2018 decision that abolished the quota system for the children of freedom fighters in government jobs (9th-13th grade). The second demand is to establish a committee to reform the quota system.
Meanwhile, students of other universities including Jahangirnagar University, and Rajshahi University, organised mass marches on campuses, protesting the reinstatement of the quota system for government jobs.
Students of Jahangirnagar University blocked the Dhaka-Aricha highway with the same demand while students of Barisal University blocked the Dhaka-Barishal highway.
Teachers vow to continue protest 'Prottoy'
On the other hand, Teachers at public universities, including Dhaka University, continued their indefinite strike on Tuesday, demanding the withdrawal of the "Prottoy" scheme, which started on Monday, suspending all academic activities. They have vowed to persist until the scheme is withdrawn.
Under the Bangladesh University Teachers Association Federation banner, the protesting teachers have three main demands: withdrawal of the "discriminatory circular" regarding pensions issued by the finance ministry.
An NPA press release on Tuesday stated that teachers, officers, and employees who joined service before June 30 are not required to join the new scheme.
It also noted that university teachers will retire at 65 and receive a lifetime pension from that age, even though the Universal Pension Management Law states pension benefits start at age 60.
The Federation of Bangladesh University Teachers' Association has rejected this explanation. DUTA President Professor Nizamul Hoque Bhuiya criticised the circular, stating, "The retirement age for teachers is 65, but the Prottoy scheme didn't initially mention this. More information has been added since we started protesting. We are protesting discriminatory measures."
Secretary General Professor Nizamul Haque Bhuiyan said, "We will consider the "Sevak" scheme if it is launched next year after withdrawing the "Prottoy" scheme and providing facilities for all. But we will scrutinise it."
He also sought the Prime Minister's intervention.
Professor Muhammed Alamgir, a member of the University Grants Commission, said, "The issue of teachers' agitation is entirely a matter of government policy. UGC has virtually nothing to do here. Still, we are in touch with the Ministry of Education to resolve this deadlock."
Meanwhile, teachers and staff at Barishal University observed a two-hour work abstention over the same demand.
Mohammad Abdul Baten Chowdhury, president of the BU Teachers Association, emphasised their resolve, saying they will continue their programme until their demands are met.
On 13 March, the government introduced the Prottoy scheme for employees who join public universities and other organisations that fall under the scheme from 1 July 2024 onwards. However, those who joined these institutions before 1 July 2024 will continue to receive pension benefits as before.
