The government has agreed to hold discussions with students protesting for quota reforms in public sector jobs, according to Law Minister Anisul Huq.
The minister made the announcement at an emergency press briefing on the parliament premises on Thursday.
Anisul said he and Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury had been tasked by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to engage with the protesters.
He said the students, while continuing their movement, were interested in discussions. "If they are willing, we can hold a meeting as early as today."
The law minister emphasized that the government was not opposed to quota reform in principle.
He also noted that the Supreme Court was set to hear the matter next month, adding that the government would request the court on Sunday to expedite the hearing given the current circumstances.
A committee headed by Justice Khandaker Diliruzzaman of the Supreme Court's High Court Division had been formed to investigate casualties in the ongoing protests, Anisul mentioned.
"Following the Prime Minister's announcement of a judicial committee yesterday, we have primarily formed a committee... This proposal will be sent to the chief justice, who, I believe, will approve it."