Rajshahi University Suspends ‘Offspring Quota’ Amidst Student Protests

The Rajshahi University (RU) authorities have suspended the controversial “offspring quota” following intense student protests. The announcement was confirmed on Saturday night (20 September) by Dr Amirul Islam, the university’s Student Adviser.

At around 1:00 a.m., the university administration also posted an official statement on its verified Facebook page, declaring that “admission facilities under the offspring quota are hereby suspended due to the prevailing instability on campus.” It further stated that an emergency Syndicate meeting has been called for Sunday (21 September) to discuss the situation.

On Thursday (18 September), the university’s Admission Sub-Committee, chaired by the Acting Vice-Chancellor (Administration), decided to reintroduce the offspring quota for the children of teachers, officials, and employees under 10 specific conditions.

This decision immediately triggered protests from students, who denounced the move as discriminatory and demanded its cancellation.

The situation intensified on Saturday afternoon (20 September) when:

• Students intercepted the Acting Vice-Chancellor (Administration) as he left the administrative building, blocking his car.
• Forced to proceed on foot, he attempted to return home, but students locked the gate of his residence.
• He, along with Proctor Mahbubur Rahman, then moved towards Juberi Bhaban. However, students again barred their entry, resulting in scuffles between students and teachers, officials, and staff members.

At around 9:45 p.m., the Nationalist Teachers’ Forum demanded exemplary punishment for those allegedly involved in ‘humiliating’ the Acting Vice-Chancellor and other faculty members.

Forum President Abdul Alim announced at a press conference in front of the Senate Building that all teachers, officers, and employees would observe a work stoppage from Sunday unless action was taken.

By 11:15 p.m., students vacated Juberi Bhaban and regrouped in front of the Vice-Chancellor Saleh Hasan Naqib’s residence on Paris Road.

• Several thousand students, including a large number of female protesters, gathered, chanting slogans demanding the abolition of the offspring quota.

Finally, at 1:00 a.m., under mounting pressure, the university administration declared the suspension of the quota system.

Timeline of Key Events