Minister of Liberation War Affairs AKM Mozammel Haque has said the quota system will remain, but the merit of the students will be considered first.
He made the statement while attending the inauguration ceremony of the Bir Muktijoddha Rashidul Alam Bheramara – Pragpur highway in Kushtia on Saturday.
He said: “Freedom Fighters were the greatest generation of the country. We must ensure that their children have respectable jobs.
“The quota might reduce due to the demand of the people, but we must value the sacrifice of those who risked everything to save the country by valuing their children.”
The minister also said: “The prime minister has told us that the quota system will not remain if people do not want it. However, such systems exist in many other countries in the world, including India.”
He added: “The system was in place even during colonial times. The quota system will stay, but it will probably be modified to prioritize merit.”
AKM Mozammel accused exiled BNP acting chairperson Tarique Rahman of instigating the quota reform demonstrators.
He also claimed that BNP is trying to cash in on the situation.
Kushtia 1 MP Rezaul Haque Chowdhury, Bheramara UNO Sohel Maruf, Kushtia Zila Parishad Chairman Haji Rabiul Islam, and other eminent individuals of the area were present at the event.
Earlier, demonstrators rallying for quota reforms will observe a two hour strike on Sunday, as the government failed to publish a gazette abolishing the controversial quota system in public services.
On April 8, thousands of students demonstrated in Shahbagh and Dhaka University areas to protest the current 56% quota reserved for selected groups for government jobs.
Over 50 students were injured in violent clashes between the police, Bangladesh Chhatra League activists, and the demonstrators. Later, universities all across Bangladesh expressed solidarity by participating in the movement.
