Following Law Minister Anisul Huq’s announcement on Thursday afternoon that the government was willing to discuss the demands of students protesting for quota reforms in civil service jobs said they were holding internal discussions on their course of action.
However, Sarjis Alam, one of the key coordinators of the Students Against Discrimination movement, said negotiations could not proceed amid violence and bloodshed, referring to reported attacks on the protesters across Bangladesh.
The government had agreed to hold discussions with the students, the law minister said at an emergency press briefing on the parliament premises.
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.