At Rajshahi University, tensions escalated over the demand to reinstate or abolish the hall quota. On Saturday (20 September) afternoon, repeated scuffles occurred between the Vice-Provost, the Proctor, faculty members, and students near the Juberi Building.
According to eyewitnesses, students started protesting by burning tires in front of the administration building. When Vice-Provost Professor Main Uddin tried to leave in his car, students blocked the vehicle, chanting slogans like “Education and begging cannot go together” and threw money onto the car, surrounding the Vice-Provost. Later, the Vice-Provost and Proctor moved to the faculty lounge in the Juberi Building, where students continued to shout slogans.
The situation escalated to the point that students trapped the Vice-Provost on the second floor of the building. Several faculty members, including the Persian Language Department professor and the Registrar, arrived at the scene and got into verbal confrontations with the students.
During this period, leaders of the Islami Chhatra Shibir joined and expressed solidarity with the students’ movement. As of 6:00 PM, students were still holding the Vice-Provost and faculty members under protest.
Rajshahi University Proctor Professor Mahabubur Rahman stated that his watch and money were allegedly snatched during the scuffles. He explained that students had locked the Vice-Provost inside his residence and continued to obstruct access to the Juberi Building lounge.
This incident has intensified unrest at the university, highlighting a serious conflict between the administration, faculty, and students over the hall quota issue.