Staff Reporter :
Awami League has indicated its preference for resolving the current student movement advocating for the elimination of the quota system in government jobs through a court verdict.
Obaidul Quader, spokesperson and General Secretary of the Awami League, said at a press conference, “We must wait for the final judgement of the court as it is a sub-judice matter. We believe the highest court will deliver a verdict that considers the real situation.”
Quader advised the university students, who have been protesting for the past week, to refrain from agitation programmes that disrupt public order.
The leader further stated that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has already addressed the quota system and pension scheme in government jobs.
It may be mentioned that in 2018, the government abolished all quotas in public service. However, the High Court later reinstated the system in response to an appeal by the children of seven Freedom Fighters, a group that has historically benefited from these quotas.
Quader said political issues had become entangled with the students’ movement, noting that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has shown support for the protests and is actively participating in the agitation.
Highlighting the importance of merit in building a prosperous Bangladesh, Quader said, “Meritorious people are the main driving force of the prime minister’s struggle to build a smart Bangladesh. We need the most talented youths to achieve our goal of developing a learned, competent, and smart generation.”
Following the press conference, Quader convened a meeting with four cabinet ministers to discuss the ongoing situation.
The meeting, which lasted for about thirty minutes, included Law Minister Anisul Huq, Education Minister Muhibul Hassan Chowdhoury, Information and Broadcast Minister Mohammad A. Arafat, and State Minister for Education Shamsunnahar.
A source in the Awami League stated that the ministers discussed the ongoing anti-quota movement along with the movement of the university teachers against the “Prottoy” pension scheme.