Want reformation, not abolishment of quota

Quota reformists yesterday demanded that the government dismiss the review committee's recommendation of entirely scrapping the existing quota system, and reform it in light of their five-point demand.

They made the demands from a human chain formed under the banner of 'Bangladesh Sadharon Chhatra Odhikar Songrokkhon Parishad' in front of the Bangladesh National Museum in the capital.

The human chain also demanded unconditional release of Chattogram University Assistant Prof Maidul Islam, renowned photographer Shahidul Alam and those who were arrested surrounding the quota reform and safe road demonstrations.

Speaking at the human chain, Prof Rushad Faridi of Dhaka University's Economics department said students did not demonstrate for abolishment of the quota system; rather, they wanted its reformation.

“But now the government is holding the protestors responsible [for the recommendation]. It should be clarified to the mass media,” he said.

“Teachers who stood by the students were also detained. We did not see anything like this during the reign of the autocratic government, but we are now witnessing this during the tenure of a government that believes in the spirit of the Liberation War,” he added.

Joint convener of the platform, Faruk Hossen, said they did not only demonstrate against the quota system existing in class-I and class-II jobs [in civil service], but protested the entire system.

He also demanded reformation of the quota system in light of their five-point demand at the next cabinet meeting, scheduled to be held today.

“When we saw students being attacked, we stood by them. Teachers including Maidul Islam were arrested as they were vocal against the attacks on students,” said Samina Luthfa, an assistant professor of DU's Sociology department.

Jagannath University teacher Nasir Uddin Ahmed called for bringing those to book who attacked students during the protests.

“It is clear who, wearing helmets, launched the attacks on students with hammers. Punish them immediately and release the detainees,” he demanded.

Internationally-acclaimed photographer Shahidul Alam was picked up by plainclothes men from his home in the capital's Dhanmondi on August 5 in a case filed for “spreading propaganda against the government” and Maidul Islam was sent to jail on September 24 in a case filed over “defaming Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on social media”.

In April, students of public and private universities across the country took to the streets demanding reforms in the quota system. They blocked key points in the capital and roads and highways elsewhere.

In the wake of mass protests, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on April 11 announced, in the parliament, of scrapping of the quota system.

The quota system was introduced through an executive order in 1972 and was amended several times. At present, about 56 percent of government jobs are reserved for candidates from various quotas.