Dhaka, Sep 17 (Just News): Quota reformists today staged demonstration on Dhaka University campus demanding immediate publication of gazette bringing reformation in the quota system in the civil service.
Several hundred students under the platform of Bangladesh Shadharan Chhatra Odhikar Sangrakkhan Parishad, a platform spearheading the protest, brought out a protest procession from in front of the Central Library premises, our photojournalist reports from the spot.
The procession returned to the central library premises after parading through the key points of the campus. They were holding a rally till 12:30pm when the report was filed.
At the rally, Nurul Huq Nur, a joint convener of Bangladesh Shadharan Chhatra Odhikar Sangrakkhan Parishad, said from now they would continue their movement for the swift publication of the gazette.
They also demanded withdrawal of all “false and fabricated cases” against their leaders and activists and for bringing all the attackers to book and ensuring their punishment through trial.
Meanwhile, a group alleged Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) men under the platform of General Students brought out a separate procession in the campus hailing the government body’s recommendation for abolishing the quota system for class-I and class-II jobs in civil service.
The development comes in the wake of months-long quota reform demonstrations that saw arrests of the movement's leaders and attacks on students.
In February this year, a large number of students of public universities and jobseekers, launched the movement demanding reforms in the quota system.
The movement intensified in April when students across the country took to the streets. 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 parliament that the quota system would be scrapped.
But as no gazette notification was issued in this regard, the protesters began boycotting classes and examinations in all universities and colleges later on.
On June 30 and July 1, alleged BCL activists attacked protesters at Dhaka University and Rajshahi University, leaving a number of students injured. Law enforcers in the following days arrested and remanded a number of leaders of the movement.
The quota reform movement lost momentum following attacks on demonstrators and arrests of some of its leaders.
The government formed the review committee on July 2 with secretaries to the public administration ministry, finance ministry, Liberation War affairs ministry, law ministry (legislative division), PSC, and the acting secretary to the Prime Minister's Office.
(Justnews/ys/1310hr)
