RU Staff Strike to Restore Ward Quota

Teachers, officers, and employees of Rajshahi University (RU) launched a work stoppage and sit-in protest on Thursday, August 14, 2025, demanding the reinstatement of the ward quota and other institutional benefits. Blocking the main gate of the university’s administration building from 10:00 AM, they announced a two-hour class boycott and warned of tougher actions if their demands remain unmet.

The protesters called for the restoration of the ward quota, improved security for faculty and staff, renovation of teachers’ quarters, and the implementation of all institutional benefits. Moktar Hossain, president of the RU Officers’ Association, said, “Our rights were unjustly taken away. Every university in Bangladesh provides ward quotas and institutional benefits, except RU. We will set a deadline for the administration today, and if our demands aren’t met, we’ll escalate our movement.”

Senior Professor Dr. Abdul Alim stated, “I should be in the classroom, but we’re here fighting for our rights. Institutional benefits are our entitlement, yet we’re being deprived. This protest unites the entire university community.” Professor Dr. Habibur Rahman from the Zoology Department added, “No other university has abolished institutional benefits, but RU has. Restoring the ward quota is a pressing need, and we’ll stand firm, even boycotting classes and exams if necessary.”

Over 300 teachers, officers, and employees participated in the protest. The ward quota, initially set at 5% for admissions of faculty and staff children, was reduced to 1% and abolished on January 2, 2025, following student protests and a 12-hour lockdown of the administration building.