Khulna, July 16 (V7N) – The students of Khulna University (Khubi) organized a protest march and rally in response to the Prime Minister's recent comments on students. The protest began at 12 noon on Tuesday from the Hadi Chatwar area of the university. The students marched around the campus and converged at the Zero Point intersection, the entrance to the city.

As of 4 PM, the protesting students are continuously chanting various slogans at Zero Point. Since noon, more and more students have been joining the sit-in strike, marches, and rallies.

A large number of students from Khulna University, Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, Northern University, and BL College participated in today’s movement. An estimated four to five thousand general students were observed participating.

During the protest, students labeled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's comments as insulting and demanded their rights. They chanted slogans such as, "We want a country free from discrimination, not discrimination with quotas," "Quota system is not in my golden Bengal," "Injustice will be swept away in a flood of blood," "One point, one demand – no quotas," "If something happens to the students, fire will burn from house to house," "No brokerage on the streets, the streets belong to us," "The tools of eighteen, let them roar once again," "No quotas, merit matters," and "There is no room for discrimination in Bangladesh." These slogans echoed through the highway.

A student participating in the protest said, "We have been protesting for a long time with logical demands. Where will we go if those who should represent our demands treat us like this? Last night, students across the country strongly condemned the Prime Minister's comments. Today’s program is in response to those comments. We hope the Prime Minister will recognize her mistake and accept the demands of the student community."

A student from Khulna University of Engineering and Technology stated, "Reforming the quota system is our exclusive demand. The current quota system is unjust to the deserving and talented. We want our place to be based on merit. Our demand is for a review and reform of the quota system to ensure the fair rights of the talented. Proper assessment of talent is crucial for the betterment of the country. We also demand a fair investigation into the violence committed by the police and various political organizations against students."

A student from Northern University added, "Police and political groups attacked us for questioning the peaceful anti-discrimination quota movement. We are still committed to peace and do not want to engage in any violence. However, we strongly condemn the ongoing situation and demand quota reform."

Earlier yesterday at midnight, students were seen marching from their halls to the Zero Point intersection after hearing slogans from the Chhatra League at the university’s main gate.

END/SDK/SMA/