At least 2,000 Dhaka University students staged a protest on Sunday against the High Court’s decision to reinstate the quota system in government jobs.
The protest procession began at 11 am from the front gate of the Central Library and concluded at the Raju Sculpture on the Dhaka University campus. Marching through the campus, the protesters chanted slogans demanding the repeal of the quota system in government jobs.
At the rally, students issued an ultimatum for the government to uphold the 2018 circular abolishing the quota system, warning of an all-out movement if their demands were not met by June.
Faiez, a student from the Department of English, stated, “The student community dreamt of building a Smart Bangladesh on the basis of merit. We do not accept the High Court verdict.”
Student Tamanna Akhter added, “Meritorious students are being deprived. I’m saying this as a woman, I don’t need a quota.”
Student Rifat Rashid emphasized, “Our constitution talks about equality of opportunity. It has to be confirmed. We will not return without getting our rights.”
At the rally’s conclusion, a student delegation submitted a memorandum to the Attorney General, urging the retraction of the High Court’s decision and the reintroduction of the 2018 policy.
