RU students block railway for 1.5 hours protesting 'DU centralism'
Railway connection with the rest of the country has been disrupted
Rajshahi University (RU) students blocked the railway line in the RU area for one and a half hours in protest against "DU centralism" with the aim of building a decentralised Bangladesh. Railway connection with the rest of the country had been halted.
They blocked the railway in the university's Station Bazar area around 11:30am today (5 March) and left the spot around 1pm after putting forward three demands.
Salauddin Ammar, one of the coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement at Rajshahi University, said, "We want equality in recruitment across the country. This Bangladesh must be freed from Dhaka and Dhaka University centralism. Starting from the University Grants Commission [UGC] to the appointment of advisers, Dhaka and Dhaka University dominate everywhere. We do not accept this dominance. We want a restructuring of everything from PSC to UGC."
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At the blockade, students chanted slogans like Dhaka or Rangpur? Rangpur, Rangpur; Dhaka or Cumilla? Cumilla, Cumilla; DU or RU, RU, RU.
Their three demands include participation of all stakeholders such as RU, CU, JU, JU, 7 colleges, private universities, national universities, madrasas for state reforms, reforming state institutions and organisations including the Reform Commission, PSC, UGC to ensure everyone's participation, and form an outline for a decentralised Bangladesh.
They said they would hold a protest after Iftar tomorrow if their demands are not met.
Earlier, students held a protest march on the campus yesterday (4 March) night demanding the same thing.
Rajshahi Railway Station Superintendent (Acting) Shahidul Alam said rail communication with the rest of the country has been shut down due to the students' blockade of the railway track.
The Dhumketu Express train, which left Dhaka, is stuck at Harian station. Besides, the Kapotaksha Express and Tungipara Express, which left Khulna and Gopalganj, are stuck at other stations.
