The agitating students of Dhaka University gathered at the capital’s Shahbagh intersection after 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.
Following the top court’s decision, Dhaka University unit Chhatra League reportedly prevented the students from joining protests against the reinstatement of the quota system.
It was also seen that the Masterda' Surja Sen Hall and Kabi Jasimuddin Hall were locked by the leaders and activists of the university unit Chhatra League.
They were allegedly guarding the halls’ entrances with motorcycles.
Earlier in the day, the appellate bench led by Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan upheld the chamber court’s decision on the freedom fighter quota.
Consequently, the High Court's verdict remains in effect.
Top court upholds HC verdict reinstating FF quota in govt jobsOn June 5, the High Court declared illegal the circular that cancelled 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.
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.
The Ministry of Public Administration issued the circular a day after the decision of the Cabinet to cancel the quota.
The government decided to remove the 45% quota for recruitment in government jobs from ninth to thirteenth grade, opting for merit-based recruitment after a prolonged student movement demanding quota reform. The quota review committee's recommendations led to this decision, approved during a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on October 3, 2018.
