Quota protesters block Pragati Sarani, Gabtoli-Mohammadpur road
The protesters were seen chanting slogans against the quota system in government jobs while blocking the traffic towards Notun Bazar
Students of Brac University takes position in front of their campus in Pragati Sarani. Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain
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Students of Brac University takes position in front of their campus in Pragati Sarani. Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain
A group of quota protesters have blocked one side of Pragati Sarani in front of the Brac University campus in the capital.
The protesters were seen chanting slogans against the quota system in government jobs while blocking the traffic towards Notun Bazar.
Confirming the situation, Badda Zone Assistant Police Commissioner Shubo Ghosh said, “The students of Brac University have taken to the streets in front of the entrance of the university’s news campus in Merul Badda. As a result, traffic on this road has come to a standstill.”
The sit-in programme was organised this morning following violent attacks on quota protesters at public universities across the country.
Over 300 students were injured in attacks on quota protesters allegedly by the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activists on university campuses, according to the movement coordinates, doctors and university officials.
Protesters from DU alleged that BCL men attacked them inside the DMCH where they had taken their injured friends.
A DMCH doctor, on condition of anonymity, told TBS that at least 250 students have taken treatment at the hospital since yesterday afternoon.
Students of Brac University takes position in front of their campus in Pragati Sarani. Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain
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Students of Brac University takes position in front of their campus in Pragati Sarani. Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain
Dr Mohammad Zabed Hossain, acting provost of DU’s Shahidullah Hall, said he called for help during the “Chhatra League attack” on the protesting students at the dormitory but received no response.
Similar attacks were reported on students protesting for the reform of the quota system in government jobs at Jahangirnagar University, Chattogram University, Rajshahi University, Islamic University in Kushtia, and Shahjalal University of Science and Technology.
At least 60 were injured in an attack on protesting students of Jahangirnagar University yesterday, Chief Medical Officer of the university Shamsur Rahman said.
At least two photojournalists, Daily Star’s Senior Photographer Prabir Das and Daily Prothom Alo’s Staff Photographer Dipu Malakar, were also hurt in attacks by alleged members of BCL.
Meanwhile, in a counter allegation, BCL leaders accused quota protesters of attacking students who refused to join their rallies at Dhaka University’s Bijoy Ekattor Hall.
According to BCL leaders, the protesters, who claimed to be conducting a non-violent movement, were armed with sticks and rods.
BCL leaders alleged that Shibir, the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, has infiltrated the movement and was now trying to destabilise the situation on campus.
The attacks continued throughout the day on the campus with a significant police presence observed following the incident.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has written to vice-chancellors of various universities urging them to implement the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court’s observation that the quota reform protesters should return to class.
Earlier on the day, the quota protestors gathered in front of Raju Sculpture on Dhaka University campus to hold a rally protesting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s remarks about the movement demanding quota reform.
Claiming that the Prime Minister’s comments were insulting, agitating students, including on the Dhaka University campus, announced a fresh protest yesterday at 12pm after they demonstrated for around two hours the previous night.
Students from Dhaka University, Jagannath University, Buet, Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Dhaka Medical College joined the protest programme.
BCL members also gathered at the TSC area of the Dhaka University campus as they began their pre-announced rally.
Students of Brac University takes position in front of their campus in Pragati Sarani. Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain
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Students of Brac University takes position in front of their campus in Pragati Sarani. Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain
Earlier on Sunday night, BCL President Saddam Hossain announced that the student wing will hold a sit-in programme at the Raju Memorial Sculpture to protest against what they see as an insult to the spirit of the liberation war.
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said yesterday the BCL is ready to respond to the audacity of anti-quota protesters last night in their respective university campuses.
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud said a group is trying to turn the anti-quota movement into an anti-state movement.
Speaking at a press conference in Shegunbagicha area of the capital this afternoon, he said, “An attempt is being made to turn the anti-quota movement into an anti-state, anti-government movement by using the sentiments of young students. The government will not allow any unstable situation to develop.”
