Dhaka, Jan 20 (V7N)— Medical students have issued an ultimatum demanding the re-publication of medical admission results by 8 PM on Monday. Failing this, they have warned of continuous protests starting Tuesday. The students are protesting against the freedom fighter quota in the medical admission process and demanding its complete abolition.

Sharmili Islam Athai, a medical aspirant, scored 75.5 in the admission test, with a total score of 172.5, but failed to secure a place in a government medical college. Meanwhile, candidates with scores as low as 40 gained admission under the quota system. This disparity has sparked outrage among students.

On Monday morning, students staged a protest at the Central Shaheed Minar, calling for the re-evaluation of the admission test results and the removal of quotas in all exams, including admissions and government jobs. They emphasized the need for a merit-based system, chanting slogans like, "Quota not merit, merit merit," and "Why quota in medical, the administration wants an answer."

The protest has also garnered support from Dhaka University students, who joined the rally in solidarity. They echoed demands for the permanent abolition of what they termed "unreasonable quotas" in all sectors.

Currently, the quota system allocates 5% of seats for children of freedom fighters, 1% for ethnic minorities, and 1% for persons with disabilities or third-gender individuals. The medical admission results, published on Sunday, adhered to these quotas, sparking the backlash.

The protesting students argue that the quota system undermines meritocracy and demanded immediate reforms. They vowed to escalate their movement if their demands are not met by Monday evening.

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