The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the High Court’s verdict that declared the decision to cancel the quota system, including the first and second-class freedom fighter quota in government jobs, illegal.
The appellate bench led by Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan upheld the chamber court's decision on Thursday. Consequently, the High Court's verdict remains in effect.
On June 5, the High Court declared illegal the circular that canceled the quotas, including those for freedom fighters, in first and second-class government jobs.
Protest against quota: Students block Shahbagh for 2nd dayAs a result, the 30% quota for freedom fighters in government jobs (grades 9 to 13) will remain in place.
During the hearing, the Appellate Division told the state representatives that for now, the High Court's verdict should stay as it is. Once the full verdict is released, they can file a regular appeal which will be heard.
The chief justice said: “If there is protest, let it be. Why should we change a High Court verdict based on protest on the streets?”
Following High Court ruling, various discussions and criticisms emerged on social media.
Additionally, protests and demonstrations took place in several locations, including Dhaka University.
GM Quader: Quota system will undermine discrimination-free BangladeshMeanwhile, students of Dhaka University demanded the withdrawal of the High Court's verdict to reinstate the 30% quota for the children of freedom fighters in government jobs from grades 9 to 13.
On October 4, 2018, the Ministry of Public Administration issued a circular to implement the cabinet's decision to abolish the existing quota system for direct recruitment to first and second-class posts in government jobs.
The Ministry of Public Administration issued the circular a day after the decision of the Cabinet to cancel the quota.
The government decided to remove the 45% quota for recruitment in government jobs from ninth to thirteenth grade, opting for merit-based recruitment after a prolonged student movement demanding quota reform. The quota review committee's recommendations led to this decision, approved during a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on October 3, 2018.
Former cabinet secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam, in a briefing at the Secretariat after the meeting, said that there would be no quota for first and second-class posts.
Public univ students hold protest rallies demanding abolition of quotaSubsequently, some children of freedom fighters filed a writ in the High Court challenging this decision.
In response to job seekers' demands for quota reform, the government formed a seven-member committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary on July 2, 2018. Initially, the committee was asked to submit its report within 15 working days, later extended by another 90 working days.
On September 17, 2018, then chief cabinet secretary of the quota reform or review committee Mohammad Shafiul Alam submitted a report to the prime minister recommending the removal of the quota.
The committee's report was presented to the Cabinet on October 3, 2018. The cabinet secretary confirmed that there would be no quota system in first and second-class government jobs, and direct recruitment would be based on merit. However, he noted that if a quota for a disadvantaged group becomes necessary in the future, the government could take measures. The quota system for third and fourth-class posts remains in place.
