Job seekers take to the streets again to demand a 35-year age limit
They pledge to keep protesting until the age limit for government jobs is increased to 35 for men and 37 for women.
Job seekers have once again taken to the streets, demanding an increase in the maximum age limit for government job applications to 35 for men and 37 for women.
On Monday, around 11:30 am, hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the National Museum in Dhaka's Shahbagh. Later, at approximately 3:30 pm, they began marching toward the Secretariat but were stopped by police near Shikkha Bhaban at Doel Chattar. The protesters then staged a sit-in, blocking the road from Shikkha Bhaban to the General Post Office (GPO).
Chants such as "One demand, one goal, 35; 35," "The fire is ablaze, the blood is boiling," "We won’t let our brothers’ and sisters’ blood go in vain," and "Ignite, ignite, set it ablaze" echoed through the crowd.
Manjurul Islam, one of the protesters, told bdnews24.com that they had been demonstrating at the National Museum since morning and remained firm in their demand. "The Public Administration Reform Commission recommended raising the maximum age for government job applications to 35, with some exceptions for open age limits. However, the interim government has set it at 32, which we reject. We are back on the streets, and we will continue our protest until our demand is met," he said.
Nilufa Yasmin, a student from Jagannath University, joined the protest and told bdnews24.com: "We held a rally demanding the implementation of the Public Administration Reform Commission’s recommendations. The protests have resumed, and we will intensify our actions if necessary."
“The commission recommended a maximum age of 35 for men and 37 for women. We will continue our movement until this demand is fulfilled,” she added. "We were on our way to the Secretariat when the police blocked us. We will remain here until our demands are met," Nilufa said.
Over the past decade, calls for raising the age limit to 35 have been voiced repeatedly, but the issue has remained unresolved during the Awami League’s tenure.
Following political changes, the interim government raised the age limit from 30 to 32, a decision the protesters have rejected.
The "Coordinated Council of General Students Demanding an Age Limit of 35 for Job Applications" has also rejected the government's decision.
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