Jahangirnagar University authorities on Monday formed a committee to review the university鈥檚 dependant quota in the admission process.
The move comes after eight students staged hunger strike demanding the abolition of the dependant quota.
The committee is headed by JU pro-vice-chancellor for academic affairs Professor Mahfuzur Rahman.
JU registrar ABM Azizur Rahman is the member secretary of the committee, which comprises syndicate member Ibrahim Khan, pro-vice-chancellor for administrative affairs Professor Sohel Ahmed and dean of the biological sciences faculty Professor Mafruhi Satter.
鈥楾he committee has been directed to recommend possible reforms to the university鈥檚 dependant quota before the admission process begins for the 2024-25 session,鈥� said JU vice-chancellor Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan.
The central admission management committee will take necessary measures based on their recommendations, he added.
JU administration assured students about reviewing their demands. However, the protesting students dismissed it as a delaying tactic.
Nadia Rahman, a protester, said, 鈥楩orming a committee is just an excuse to prolong the issue. We have seen similar scenarios before and no real change has taken place. The dependant quota must be abolished and we will not stop our protest until it happens.鈥�
Another protester Kazi Mehrab Turzo added, 鈥楾he quota system goes against the principles of equality we fought for. If the university fails to act, we will continue our protest until justice is served.鈥�
Earlier, the hunger strike, organised under the banner of Student Movement Against Discrimination, began at 11:00am on Sunday in front of the university鈥檚 new administrative building.
It was withdrawn at around 6:00am on Monday following assurances from the administration.
Meanwhile, JU employees have warned of observing indefinite work abstention if the administration complies with the demands of the students.
They threatened to halt emergency services, transport, security and office operations.
JU currently reserves approximately 250 seats under six quotas, separate from 1,889 general seats.
These include quotas for freedom fighters鈥� descendants, persons with disabilities, indigenous and Dalit communities, dependants, BKSP graduates and a vice-chancellor鈥檚 quota, with the number of dependant quota seats unspecified.
