Quota protesters boycott classes, examinations for indefinite period

DU Correspondent / Published : Saturday, 6 July, 2024 at 12:00 AM

College and university students will boycott classes and examinations from tomorrow (Sunday) for an indefinite period to realise their demand to abolish quotas in first and second class government jobs.

Hasnat Abdullah, one of the coordinators of the Anti-discriminatory Student Movement, on Friday told the Daily Observer that they requested college and university students to boycott classes and examinations from Sunday for an indefinite period.

The protesters also demanded formation of a commission to reform the quota system in all grades of government jobs and to ensure vacant positions are filled with candidates selected on merit in the absence of quota candidates.

They also demanded that individuals be allowed to use the quota system only once in their lifetime for any type of competitive public examinations, including university admission tests.

Meanwhile, White Panel, a pro-BNP teachers association at Dhaka University (DU), on Friday issued a statement expressing solidarity with the protesting students and job aspirants.

Conversely, DU Teachers Association (DUTA) President Prof Md Nizamul Haque Bhuiya on Thursday declined to comment on the ongoing anti-quota movement, citing it was an under trial matter as reason.

The pro-BNP teachers expressed deep concern over the High Courts verdict declaring the 2018 government circular invalid that cancelled the quota system in government jobs.

"The agitation began by the job aspirants and students against the reinstatement of quotas are fair and logical," said the statement signed by White Panel Convener Prof Md Lutfor Rahman, Joint Convener Prof Md Siddiqur Rahman Khan and Joint Convener Prof Abdus Salam.

It said, "Quota can never be a substitute for merit."

In the wake of a mass movement in 2018, the Public Administration Ministry issued a circular on October 4 abolishing quotas in first and second class government jobs.

Following a writ petition, the High Court Division on June 5, 2024 declared invalid 2018 circular, cancelling Freedom Fighters quota in government jobs.

The Appellate Division also upheld this judgment for the time being on July 4.

The White Panel teachers think the government is trying to achieve political interests by using the court verdict.

"We also note with concern that the terrorists of Bangladesh Chhatra League, a pro-government student organisation, are trying to suppress the anti-quota activists in various universities including Dhaka University by torture and threats," the statement added, condemning the BCL leaders action and demanding punishment of those involved in the alleged incidents.

The White Panel requested the authorities concerned to realise students four point demands including abolishing the quota system.

Public university students have been demonstrating on their respective campuses including blocking highways and railways since July 1, to press home their demand to ensure merit-based recruitment by abolishing quotas in government jobs.

Source: DailyObserver