Students again block major intersections of capital as part of ‘Bangla Blockade’

Students and job-seekers protesting against the quota system in government jobs blocked several key intersections in the capital, including Shahbagh, Bangla Motor, Science Lab, Chankharpul, Zero Point,  as part of their "Bangla Blockade" program.

According to our correspondents from, hundreds of students gathered in front of the Dhaka University Central Library and began a procession around 3:30 pm, moving through various streets on campus. They successfully blocked the Shahbagh intersection at 4:07 pm.

Simultaneously, another group of DU students blocked the Chankharpul intersection near Mayor Hanif Flyover around 3:30 pm. Our correspondent also reported that a different group of students blocked the Science Lab area around 3:50 pm.

Students of Jagannath University blocked the Zero Point intersection of Gulistan area of the city.

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This marks the seventh consecutive day (giving break on Friday) of protests by students, who plan to block major intersections in the capital and highways near campuses nationwide. 

Yesterday, Dhaka experienced severe traffic gridlock that paralyzed the capital city as students escalated their protests, blocking up to six busy intersections.

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Tensions heightened following a Supreme Court decision on July 4 affirming a High Court ruling that deemed the government‍‍`s 2018 circular, which abolished the quota system in public service, illegal. 

The students are demanding the reinstatement of the circular that eliminated the 30% quota reserved for children of freedom fighters and overall 56% of total quota. 

The 56% quota in government job covers, 30% reservation for the children and grandchildren of Freedom Fighters, 10% women, 10% district, 5% ethnic minority, 1% reservation for persons with disability.  

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The government had originally issued the circular in 2018 amidst widespread student protests advocating for reform.