Speakers at the roundtable stressed the need to modernize the quota system, as Bangladesh’s professional sector and the people’s socio-economic conditions have witnessed significant change.
‘Quota system prevents employment of the meritorious’
Bangladesh Sadharon Chhatra Odhikar Songrokkhon Parishad Coordinator Md Rashed Khan said: “Those who are meritorious find it harder to get appropriate jobs because of the quota system. I am attending this discussion to speak in favour of reforming the quota system.
“Only 44% of government jobs are available to students, while 56% are under the quota system. I urge the honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to reform this quota system,” he added.
“Many positions are vacant because no suitable candidates were found under the quota system. If meritorious students are given the opportunity in those vacant positions, they could work for the benefit of the nation.”
Rashed Khan also demanded that the age restriction on applying for jobs be the same for every applicant.‘Shibir conspiring over the issue’
President of Muktijoddha Sangsad Santan Command Central Committee Mehedi Hassan said: “Demonstrations and movements were frequently held over the quota system at the Dhaka University campus. I have learned that members of Bangladesh Islami Chhatrashibir had held meetings at the TSC during that time.
“I have also learned that they were conspiring. Movement over this issue was organized in the past, and it is being organized in the present. However, a certain quarter is using social media to stir up public discord.”‘Quota system needs to be reformed’
Columnist Shariful Hassan underlined the quota facilities Bangladesh provides for the descendents of the 3,000,000 martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War.
He said: “I firmly believe that at least 200,000 Freedom Fighters are somewhat more financially stable than the rest. I support giving quotas to Freedom Fighters, and their children. But, why should the grandchildren of Freedom Fighters get quota facilities?”
“The constitution is against any form of inequality. The quota system needs to be reformed, as 48 years have passed since the independence of Bangladesh,” Shariful added.
“Quotas can help those who have fallen behind. However, under the four types of quota facilities, the district quota is only helping candidates from major districts, the women’s quota is being used by women candidates from educational institutions in Dhaka, and positions under the quota for Indigenous groups remain mostly empty.”‘We never dreamt of taking quota facilities’
Freedom Fighter and Journalist Harun Habib said: “We who fought in the 1971 Liberation War never dreamt of taking additional advantage through the quota system. I firmly believe that there is no alternative to merit.
“If we fail to support meritocracy, the effectiveness of public administration will be jeopardized.”
Mentioning past movements over the quota issue, the freedom fighter said: “Those movements ultimately polarized opinions on freedom fighters. If an issue creates a situation where the rights of the freedom fighters are ignored, it will not bode well for the country.
“However, it is also not logical that once a particular system is launched, it runs for several decades. We can reform the system through discussion and with logical steps.”‘Why seek government support for jobs?’
Former Joint Secretary Dr MA Momen said: “I have seen the child of a Freedom Fighter stand first in the BCS examination. So, there is no reason to believe that children of Freedom Fighters lack merit.
“For this reason, I believe that the quota system should undergo reforms. Our constitution does not condone inequality, and it must be followed to the letter.”
“Why should we look for the government’s support for getting jobs?” he asked.
“Nelson Mandela was a freedom fighter himself. When South African freedom fighters asked him for quota facilities, he responded that it is the duty of freedom fighters to sacrifice, and they should make sacrifices for their country.”‘Demand for reforming quota system not illogical’
Addressing the issue, Chief News Editor of Bangla Tribune Dulal Ahmed Chowdhury said: “It is not illogical to demand that quota facilities for government jobs be reformed. The ongoing movement may seem like it is demanding the cancellation of the quota facilities, but the goal is only to reform the system.
“Under the current circumstances, if the government wants, it could form a commission headed by an eminent cabinet secretary or justice. The commission could analyze the regulations for appointing hopefuls in government jobs and recommend reforms.”
He added: “Quotas take up 56% of government jobs. It is okay to hold logical discussions about it. However, it seems like the protesters and the Muktijoddha Santan Command are standing face to face on this issue.
“The government has the jurisdiction to update laws and regulations to meet the demands of the time. So, this issue can also be tackled in the same way. We should not engage in an argument and further divide the nation.”
Urging caution from the both sides, Dulal Ahmed Chowdhury said: “We should be careful not to allow anti-liberation forces to take advantage of the situation, and avoid sending confusing messages to the younger generation.”
