‘Quota reform talks deemed anti-constitutional’
Staff Reporter :
Obaidul Quader, General Secretary of the Awami League (AL) and Minister of Road Transport and Bridges, asserted on Saturday that the demands and statements put forth by the quota protesters are in direct contradiction with the constitution and the foundational principles of the state.
Addressing journalists at a press briefing held at the Awami League President’s office in Dhanmondi, Quader emphasized the indispensable nature of the quota system within the current context of Bangladesh.
He alleged that certain vested interests are attempting to exploit the quota reform movement for personal gain.
“The legal framework will take its course regarding the quota system dispute,” remarked Quader, underscoring the existing legislative support for the current quota system.
Quader highlighted the role of the quota system in enhancing the participation of women and marginalized communities in government services.
He pointed out that the absence of such a system in recent years has resulted in significantly reduced representation from these groups.
Supporting his argument with comparative data, Quader noted that Bangladesh maintains one of the lowest quota percentages for recruitment in South Asia.
He cited examples such as India with a 60 percent quota, Pakistan 92.5 percent, Nepal 45 percent, and Sri Lanka 50 percent for public sector jobs and 60 percent for university admissions.
Prominent figures present at the briefing included Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Education and Cultural Affairs; Shamsunnahar Chapa, Deputy Minister for Education; Mahabub-ul Alam Hanif and AFM Bahauddin Nasim, AL Joint General Secretaries; BM Mozammel Haque and other Organizing Secretaries; as well as Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua.
On the other hand, after thirteen days of continuous protests and work stoppages, university teachers protesting against their exclusion from the universal pension scheme ‘Prottoy’ finally met with AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader and government officials.
The meeting, convened at the AL president’s office in Dhanmondi on Saturday at 11 am, saw the participation of government officials including Obaidul Quader, AL Joint General Secretaries Mahabub-ul Alam Hanif, AFM Bahauddin Nasim, and Office Secretary Biplob Barua, among others.
