The students of Rajshahi University have taken a position on the Dhaka-Rajshahi highway after 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.
They started gathering on the road at 10am, ignoring the heavy rain. The students chanted several slogans.
The agitating students also placed a four-point demand during their blockade.
Quota reinstatement: JU students block Dhaka-Aricha highwayThe demands include the reform of the quota system in government jobs by forming a commission while continuing the 2018 circular. If a suitable candidate is not found within the quota, the vacancies should be filled based on merit. Individuals should only be allowed to use the quota once in all types of government competitive examinations during their lifetime. Additionally, effective measures must be taken to ensure a corruption-free, neutral, and merit-based bureaucracy.
Around 12pm, the students left the road and returned to the campus.
Earlier in the day, the appellate bench led by Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan upheld the chamber court’s decision on the freedom fighter quota.
Consequently, the High Court's verdict remains in effect.
Quota reinstatement: DU students start gathering in ShahbaghOn June 5, the High Court declared illegal the circular that cancelled the quotas, including those for freedom fighters, in first and second-class government jobs.
As a result, the 30% quota for freedom fighters in government jobs (grades 9 to 13) will remain in place.
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.
