Protesting students blocked the major roads and intersection in Dhaka for the second day to enforce the Bangla Blockade and press home their four-point demand, including cancelling the quota system in government jobs and reinstating the 2018 circular.
As previously announced, students from Dhaka University (DU) blocked the Shahgabh intersection while students of seven colleges blocked Science Lab intersection. Traffic on Bangla Motor, Hotel Intercontinental intersection, Elephant Road, Mirpur Road, and Dhanmondi was halted as a result.
Meanwhile, protesters are assembling at various points throughout the capital. Students from various Dhaka University halls and departments marched with banners in front of the library. One procession after another arrived, and they were welcomed with applause and anti-quota slogans.
The students said that the government job quota system is depriving qualified candidates of opportunities. They have launched this movement demanding the reinstatement of a circular issued in 2018.
During this time, a student from Dhaka College, Nahid Islam, said: "It is unreasonable to provide opportunities in jobs through quotas after so many years of independence. A limited number of quotas could be given to certain underprivileged classes. But under the current system, meritorious candidates are being deprived. We want the merits to be valued."
On Sunday, after the "Bangla Blockade" event, the protestors announced that their actions would continue on Monday. Accordingly, they began blocking key points in the capital on Monday, raising concerns about severe traffic congestion like the previous day.
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.
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.
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.
Following 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.