JU students on hunger strike demanding abolition of ward quota

A group of Jahangirnagar University (JU) students started an indefinite hunger strike today (2 February), demanding the elimination of the ward quota in university admissions.  

The strike, organised by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement's JU unit, began around 11am in front of the administrative building.  

Visiting the spot, TBS reporter saw nine students from different departments were participating in the hunger strike.

The protesters pledged to continue the strike until their demands are met.

"We want a university where students are evaluated only on merit and hard work, and where all students have equal opportunities," said Nazmul Hasan Limon, a student from the Anthropology department. 

He further said, "There should be no discrimination or special advantage for any specific participants in the university admission test. By abolishing the ward quota, we can establish fairness in education. 

"Let us together stand for this change and move towards a fair, equitable, and merit-based education system."

Touhid Mohammad Siam, member secretary of the JU unit of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, said, "This quota has no logic. Therefore, we don't believe it needs reform. It must be completely abolished."

Vice-Chancellor Professor Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan visited the agitating students around 6pm, but his words failed to persuade them.

He told the students that a decision regarding their demands would be made after discussions with the university's teachers, officials, and employees.