Thousands of agriculture diploma students enforced a complete blockade at Dhaka’s Khamarbari on Monday, pressing for eight-point demands including access to higher education and equal job opportunities.
Under the banner of Krishi Diploma Chhatra Odhikar Andolon (Agriculture Diploma Students’ Rights Movement), protesters began the pre-declared “Agri Blockade” program at 9 a.m., shutting down all entry points to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in the capital.
Student leader Asaduzzaman Abir told the media that nearly 25,000 students are currently enrolled in four-year diploma courses across 18 public agricultural training institutes and 260 private agricultural colleges. “Despite completing the same academic duration as other disciplines, agriculture diploma holders face severe discrimination in terms of higher education opportunities and professional advancement,” he said.
The protest follows a mass rally and sit-in held Sunday at the Central Shaheed Minar, where hundreds of students from across the country participated. The agitators declared the Khamarbari blockade from that platform, vowing to continue their movement until their demands are met.
Among their key demands are the right to pursue higher education in agriculture universities, proper recognition of diploma degrees, and the removal of institutional disparities in the public service sector.
LND/BG
