Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Students Block Agargaon, Halt Traffic
On August 28, 2025, students from Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU) initiated a blockade in Agargaon, Dhaka, under the banner of the Agriculturist Unity Council (Krishibid Aikyya Parishad), starting around 12:00 PM. This action, driven by a three-point demand, has led to a complete halt in vehicular movement in the area, causing significant disruptions.
The students’ demands include:
- Reserving 10th-grade positions (Sub-Assistant Agricultural Officer/Sub-Assistant Scientific Officer or equivalent) in the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC), and other research institutions exclusively for graduates with a BSc in Agriculture or related fields.
- Abolishing the quota system in BADC and ensuring that promotions to 9th-grade positions are granted only to those who pass a competitive recruitment exam.
- Issuing a government notification to prohibit the use of the title “Krishibid” (Agriculturist) by individuals without a BSc degree in agriculture or related disciplines.
Imran Hossain Imon, a student of SAU’s Faculty of Agriculture and a member of the Agriculturist Unity Council, stated, “Diploma holders have monopolized 10th-grade positions, which poses a threat to the agricultural sector. We make it clear: we will not leave the streets until our three demands are met.” The blockade was announced following a discussion among students on the night of August 27, 2025, with confirmation posted on the council’s Facebook group.
The protest follows a related demonstration on August 27, where SAU students marched on campus to protest an attack on BUET students. The blockade in Agargaon is part of a broader movement to secure professional recognition and rights for agriculturists, mirroring similar demands by engineering students for exclusive rights to certain titles and positions.
