Jahangirnagar University (JU) students held a mass campaign in the residential halls on Saturday to press home their four-point demand, including cancelling the quota system in government jobs and reinstating the 2018 circular.
Their protest program under the banner of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement continued for the sixth consecutive day.
The protest began at the university's central library at 3:30pm and ended at the central Shaheed Minar following a campaign through the residential halls.
The four-point demands of the protesting students include reinstating the 2018 circular conditionally, forming a commission to promptly remove irrational and discriminatory quotas in government jobs (all grades), ensuring that quota benefits can not be used multiple times, and filling vacant positions based on merit if no qualified candidates are found through quotas. Effective measures must be taken to ensure a corruption-free, impartial, and merit-based bureaucracy.
JU Anti-Discrimination Student Movement Joint Convener Jahidul Hasan Emon, said: "Today we have campaigned in almost all the residential halls. Tomorrow (Sunday) from 3pm, we will blockade the Dhaka-Aricha Highway. If our demands are not met, we will intensify our programs. If necessary, we will bring the entire country to a standstill."
Quota movement: Protesters announce Bangla Blockade on SundayMahfuz Islam Megh, the secretary of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, said: "Our movement is a movement of the common people, not just specific students, not affiliated with any political party. Those who have come are all ordinary students. We urge those who couldn't join today to participate rather than stay in their reading rooms actively. Tomorrow (Sunday), we will again blockade the Dhaka-Aricha Highway. If needed, we are prepared to halt the entire country’s movement. Do not give up."
After the human chain, he said: “The next program on Sunday, from 3pm to 6pm, the Dhaka-Aricha Highway adjacent to the university's main gate (Dairy Gate) will be blockaded."
Quota movement: JU students form human chainThe 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.
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.
As a result, the 30% quota for freedom fighters in government jobs (grades 9 to 13) will remain in place.
Quota movement: JU students block highway for 2nd dayFollowing the High Court ruling, various discussions and criticisms emerged on social media. Additionally, protests and demonstrations took place in several locations, including Dhaka University.
Meanwhile, 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.
