Anti-quota movement: Shada Dal extends support to protesting students

The BNP-affiliated teachers' organization at Dhaka University, "Shada Dal," has expressed solidarity with the students protesting against quota reinstatement in government jobs.

In a press release signed by Shada Dal's Convener Professor Dr Lutfor Rahman, Joint Conveners Professor Mohammad Siddiqur Rahman Khan and Professor Abdus Salam,  the organization conveyed this information on Friday..

The statement mentioned: "We express deep concern over the High Court's ruling that declared part of the 2018 government circular, which abolished the quota system in government jobs, as illegal. Simultaneously, we extend our support to the ongoing protests by students and job seekers against the reinstatement of the quota system."

The leaders said that the freedom fighters are the nation's greatest heroes. There are many other ways to recognize and honor their contributions, which can continue through generations. 

However, they believe that maintaining a 30% quota for freedom fighters in jobs across generations is unreasonable. 

This not only exacerbates the unemployment issue but also deprives relatively qualified and meritorious individuals of their rightful opportunities. This is a form of discrimination that contradicts the core values of the Liberation War, such as equality, human dignity, and social justice, they added.

"Our constitution mentions the provision of quotas for disadvantaged groups. Not all freedom fighters are disadvantaged," the statement noted. 

“We are also deeply concerned about the attempts by government-backed student organization Bangladesh Chhatra League's hooligans to intimidate and oppress anti-quota protesters at Dhaka University and other universities. We strongly condemn this and demand punishment for those who threaten and abuse the students," the statement added.

Recognizing the legitimacy and fairness of the ongoing protests by job seekers and students against the reinstatement of the quota system, the organization urges the authorities to immediately fulfill their four-point demand, including the abolition of the quota system.

Students of different public universities across the country have been staging demonstration against the reinstatement of the 30% quota in government jobs.

On Thursday, The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court 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.

On 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.