Students of Dhaka University blocked the Shahbagh intersection on Tuesday, demanding the abolition of quotas in government jobs.
They demanded the cancellation of the High Court's order to reinstate the 56% quota, including the 30% quota for freedom fighters in first and second-class government jobs, and to restore the circular issued in 2018.
Hundreds of students marched to Shahbagh and blockaded the area on Tuesday afternoon.
Public univ students hold protest rallies demanding abolition of quotaThe march started in front of the central library of Dhaka University and went through Nilkhet-Newmarket, and Science Lab before reaching Shahbagh intersection.
The students said that the quota benefits in government job recruitment exams should not be used multiple times.
If qualified candidates are not found in the quota, the vacant positions should be filled based on merit.
Akhtar Hossain, the central convener of Ganatantrik Chhatra Shokti and former social service secretary of Ducsu, said: "After being canceled due to the students' movement, the High Court declared the decision to abolish the quota system illegal. This has pushed the future of meritorious students towards uncertainty. We want this decision to be canceled immediately."
Nahid Islam, the coordinator of the “Anti-Discriminatory Students' Movement”, announced that the students will stage another sit-in program in front of the Dhaka University Central Library at 2:30pm on Wednesday to continue pressing their demands.
He also added: "This is not just a movement of students and job seekers. It is a matter of state importance. The freedom fighter quota and the spirit of the Liberation War are not the same thing."
Hasib Al Hasan Khan, a student from Dhaka University, expressed concerns about the qualifications of policymakers, saying: "If a large portion of policymakers are not qualified enough, the country will face dire consequences. This is why there shouldn’t be such a high quota in first and second-grade government jobs."
He further added: “Many people are suffering from economic crises in villages, and still, the government pays allowances to freedom fighter families. We must recognize that they fought for our country and give them what they deserve, but their grandchildren shouldn’t continue to receive privileges for their struggle."
High Court: Decision to cancel freedom fighter quota in govt jobs illegalThe protestors withdrew their blockade from the Shahbagh intersection around 5:45pm and marched towards the residence of the Dhaka University vice-chancellor.
They demanded that the Dhaka University Library reopen the next day.
The protesting students have proposed a four-point demand.
The demands are--
Upholding the 2018 circular, and redistribute or reform the quota to not exceed 10% in government jobs (all grades) as soon as possible
Limiting the quota facility to be availed only once in government recruitment examinations
Filling vacant quota posts with meritorious candidates if no qualified candidates are available in the quota
Implementing effective measures to ensure a corruption-free, impartial, and merit-based bureaucracy.
On October 4, 2018, the government issued a circular abolishing all the 56% quotas in the public service in the wake of protests by public university students and jobseekers demanding reforms to the quota system introduced in 1972.
On June 5, the High Court ruled that the notification issued on October 4, 2018, canceling the freedom fighter quota in first and second-class government jobs is illegal.
As a result, the 30% freedom fighter quota in government jobs will remain in effect.
The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification in 2018 canceling the 10% women's quota, 30% freedom fighter quota and 10% district quota for direct recruitment from 9th grade and 10th to 13th grade.
