The ongoing anti-quota movement is set to take a new shape on Wednesday, as the protesters have declared a countrywide blockade from morning until sunset. They are demanding that the executive branch of the government take the initiative to reform the quota system in all grades of government jobs.
On the other hand, the government is urging the protesters to respect the verdict of the apex court on the quota system, which is scheduled to be declared on Wednesday. The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has set Wednesday for a hearing on a High Court verdict that declared the decision to cancel the quota system, including the first and second-class freedom fighter quotas in government jobs, illegal.
Law Minister Anisul Huq on Monday said that the quota issue is no longer a matter for the government to decide, as it is now with the Supreme Court, and the apex court will make the final decision after hearing all parties involved.
However, the protesters denounced the Law Minister's call at a press conference on Monday evening at Dhaka University. They said that the case awaiting the court's verdict is based on a circular published by the Ministry of Public Administration on October 4, 2018, to implement the cabinet's decision to abolish the existing quota system for direct recruitment to first and second-class posts in government jobs.
“Our demand is to remove quotas from all grades of government jobs whereas the circular of 2018 mentioned only first class and second class jobs. If the apex court just reinstates the circular of 2018 it will not satisfy us. We want quota reform in all government jobs, not only in first class and second class jobs,” said one of the conveners of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, which is leading the anti-quota movement across the country.
“To fulfil our demand, we want the executive branch of the state to take an initiative to form a commission to reform the quota system,” the student leader added.
When asked, they admitted that they do not want to abolish all quotas for government jobs. They believe a total of 5 percent quota is acceptable for people with disabilities, tribal communities, and the sons and daughters of freedom fighters.
The protestors added that they are not against the quota for freedom fighters, but they are against quotas for the grandchildren of freedom fighters.
Nahid Islam, one of the coordinators of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, announced the blockade program and said: “The Bangla Blockade program will start tomorrow (Wednesday) at 10am and will continue till the sunset until our demand is fulfilled.”
He also urged students to carry on the blockade programs across the country before the public universities and educational institutions.
Earlier, the protestors blocked important roads of Dhaka for a few hours last Sunday and Saturday, which created huge traffic jams in the capital and some other parts of the country.
Meanwhile, two students from Dhaka University have filed an appeal with the Appellate Division against the High Court's ruling on the reinstatement of quota in government jobs.
on Tuesday, they sought permission for an affidavit in the Chamber Court of the Appellate Division.
Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam of the Appellate Division granted permission for the affidavit.
The two applicants are Al Sadi Bhuiyan, an Anthropology student and president of the Dhaka University Journalists' Association, and Ahnab Saeed Khan, a student of the Urdu department.
When asked about the writ, the protestors said they have no relation with the writ and anyone concerned can file it, but their demand is to reform the quota system.
Meanwhile, Law Minister Anisul Huq welcomed the filing of the application and said: "I have come to know that they want to be included in the case of the Appellate Division and have applied for it. The hearing will be held tomorrow (Wednesday). In that case, I think they are taking the right approach.
“As far as I know, when this case was heard in the High Court Division, those who are now protesting against the quota did not appoint any lawyer to present their case in court, nor did they submit their statements. The case was decided, and it is now in the Appellate Division. As of on Tuesday (Monday), they had no lawyer to present their case. Protesting on the streets and shouting will not resolve the issue. If this continues, it could eventually lead to contempt of court.
"If they present their statements as parties, then the Appellate Division will certainly hear all sides and deliver justice. That is our hope. I think they have taken a positive step on Wednesday, and I applaud it. They will now present their case in court. Since they have decided to go to court, they should withdraw their agitation,” he added.
The chamber judge of the Appellate Division, Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam, on Tuesday fixed the date for the hearing. On July 4, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court upheld the High Court’s verdict.
On October 4, 2018, the Ministry of Public Administration issued a circular on implementation the cabinet's decision to abolish the existing quota system for 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.
Subsequently, some children of freedom fighters filed a writ in the High Court challenging this decision.
On 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) is to remain in place.
Protests against the decision began soon afterwards.