Rajshahi University suspends admissions under ward quota following students' protests
Forms committee to investigate confinement of the pro-vice chancellor, several teachers
The Rajshahi University (RU) administration has suspended admissions under the ward quota system for children of teachers, officials, and staff, following students' protests and escalating tensions on campus.
The decision was made at an emergency syndicate meeting, chaired by Vice-Chancellor (VC) Professor Saleh Hasan Naqib, held at the VC's residence from 3:30pm to 5pm today (21 September).
Speaking to the media after the meeting, acting registrar Professor Iftikharul Alam Masud said, "Around midnight, on the directive of the vice-chancellor, admissions under the ward quota were temporarily suspended. At today's meeting, the decision to suspend the quota was upheld. Several bodies will now issue the final decision."
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The meeting also condemned the confinement and harassment of the pro-vice chancellor and several teachers during yesterday's protests.
According to meeting sources, to investigate the incidents, a five-member internal inquiry committee has been formed. Additionally, the syndicate meeting recommended setting up a judicial probe committee for an impartial investigation.
The administration also expressed hope that the upcoming Rajshahi University Central Students' Union (Rucsu) and hall union elections will take place on 25 September without disruption.
Yesterday, tension flared on the university campus as a scuffle broke out between students and senior university officials, including the pro-vice chancellor and the proctor, over the ward quota issue.
Pro-VC Prof Main Uddin, Proctor Prof Mahbubor Rahman, Registrar Prof Iftikharul Alam Masud, and several other teachers were confined by protesting students inside the Zuberi Bhaban for nearly six hours in the afternoon.
They were released around 11:15pm after students ended the confinement and moved to stage a sit-in demonstration in front of the vice-chancellor's residence.
Facing protests, university authorities issued a late-night notice temporarily suspending admissions under the quota system.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Saleh Hasan Naqib later appeared before students at 2:30am and reiterated that an emergency syndicate meeting would decide whether the quota would be abolished altogether.
Despite the announcement, students rejected the suspension and attempted to break open the gates of the VC's residence before dispersing to their dormitories after 3am.
Meanwhile, teachers, officers, and employees of Rajshahi University are observing a full-day work abstention today, in line with the decision announced the previous night.
The announcement was made at a press briefing held around 9:30pm yesterday in front of the Senate Building by Professor Abdul Alim, president of the Nationalist Teachers' Forum and a faculty member of the Department of Agronomy and Agricultural Extension.
