DU Correspondent :
Students across the country are set to initiate a comprehensive ‘day-long blockade’ on July 10 on both roadways and railways as part of their ongoing agitation to reform the quota system for government jobs.
They have clarified their demand for reducing the quota to a maximum of 5 percent across all government positions.
The announcement came during a press conference held at Dhaka University’s central library under the banner of the anti-discrimination student movement.
The movement, which began with the ‘Blaga Blockade’ and subsequent street demonstrations, enters a new phase with today’s planned nationwide action.
Nahid Islam, a coordinator of the movement, outlined the schedule, stating, “As part of the ongoing blockade, we will commence a full-day protest across the country starting from 10 a.m. until the evening.
This will encompass both railways and roadways”
“Our objective is to achieve a definitive solution that eliminates future complications with the quota system.
Therefore, we demand a rational reform of the quota through legislation in the National Parliament, ensuring fair representation for marginalised communities,” Nahid emphasised.
The protesters emphasised a single-point demand: the abolition of all ‘unfair’ and ‘discriminatory’ quotas across all grades, reducing the quota to a minimum level for backward groups specified in the constitution, and amending the quota system through parliamentary legislation.
Responding to varying media interpretations, Hasanat Abdullah, another coordinator, clarified, “Our movement advocates for rational reforms, not the abolition of the quota system. We explicitly support quotas for children of freedom fighters, minorities, and disabled individuals.
However, we oppose quotas for grandchildren of freedom fighters and the ‘Porsho’ quota” “We have no affiliation with the students who filed a petition with the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court challenging the High Court verdict,” added Hasanat, addressing concerns about the movement’s legal aspects.
Sarjis Alam, another coordinator, emphasised, “Our movement aligns with the executive department.
If the executive issues a written directive or circular to establish a commission for logical quota reforms across all government jobs, not just the first and second grades, we will joyfully end our street protests and resume academic pursuits.”