Savar, Feb 2 (V7N) – Leaders and activists of the Jahangirnagar University (JU) branch of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement have launched a hunger strike to death demanding the abolition of the pet quota in the university's admission process.

The protest began at 12 noon on Sunday in front of the university’s new administrative building. The students have declared that they will not end the hunger strike until their demand is met.

Protesters Demand Fair Admissions System

The striking students argue that the mass uprising of 2024 was driven by the abolition of discriminatory quotas and the call for a merit-based system. However, they claim that the continuation of the pet quota in JU’s admission test contradicts the spirit of that movement.

"Many of our fellow students shed their blood for this cause. Yet, we are being forced to go on a hunger strike again over the same issue. This is disappointing and shameful," said one of the protesters.

Unfair Advantage Alleged in Admission Process

Nahid Hasan, Joint Member Secretary of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement (JU branch), strongly criticized the quota system:

"We are on hunger strike to remove this unjust system. Our demand in 2024 was for our merit to be evaluated fairly, not based on any quota. The fact that such a system still exists is a disgrace for the administration that stands on the sacrifices of our brothers and sisters."

Another protester, Farhana Binte Jigar Farina, pointed out the disparity in admission scores:

"Under the pet quota, students with just 26 or 27 marks out of 80 get admission, while general students with 60 marks are denied a place. This is blatant discrimination, and we will not stop until it is abolished."

No Response from Administration Yet

As of 3 PM on Sunday, no university officials had approached the protesters to discuss their demands. The students have vowed to continue their hunger strike indefinitely until the quota system is revoked.

END/MSS/AJ