Protesting students have announced a nationwide mass campaign across Bangladesh on Tuesday to demand the abolishment of all discriminatory quotas in government job grades.
The announcement was made during Monday’s “Bangla Blockade” program at Shahbagh.
The students also stated that the blockade program would resume on Wednesday. Additionally, the ongoing boycott of classes and examinations, along with the student strike, will continue.
Nahid Islam, the chief coordinator of the quota reform movement, mentioned that details of Wednesday’s program will be shared in an online press conference on Tuesday afternoon.
In his closing speech at Shahbagh around 8:30 pm, Nahid Islam emphasized the coordination of both online and offline mass campaigns with student representatives nationwide.
“We have been protesting since June 5. We submitted memorandums and presented our demands through all possible channels. Now, the ball is in the government’s court,” Nahid said.
Regarding the campaign, he added, “We observed a half-hour blockade today, but it will not be limited to just half an hour. We will coordinate a complete blockade across the country starting from Wednesday.”
Wednesday’s schedule will be announced on Tuesday via an online press conference.
The protesting students dispersed from Shahbagh around 8:35 pm after announcing the new program. Prior to this, protesters from other blockade sites, including Science Lab, Gulistan, New Market, Banglamotor, Matsyo Bhaban Intersection, Poribag, Karwan Bazar, and Farmgate, gathered at Shahbagh to show solidarity.
Hasnat Abdullah, another spokesperson for the movement, remarked, “Students want to return to their studies, but the current system prevents this. We seek a logical and constitutional reform of the quota system for the underprivileged. We are determined to achieve our demands, regardless of the cost.”
Sarjis Alam, another leader of the movement, added, “Today, we blocked key intersections in Dhaka and other cities, disrupting communication among 40 districts. If necessary, we can disconnect all 64 districts within the next two days.”
“If we aim to build Shonar Bangla, we must allow the truly deserving students to succeed. The quota system hinders this goal. We will remain on the streets until our demands are met,” he asserted.
On Sunday, after the “Bangla Blockade” event, the protesters announced their intention to continue their actions on Monday to press their four-point demand.
On Monday, they blocked key points in the capital, raising concerns about severe traffic congestion similar to the previous day.
The students’ four-point demands include reinstating the 2018 circular conditionally, forming a commission to promptly remove irrational and discriminatory quotas in government jobs (all grades), ensuring that quota benefits cannot be used multiple times, and filling vacant positions based on merit if no qualified candidates are found through quotas. They also demand effective measures to ensure a corruption-free, impartial, and merit-based bureaucracy.
On July 4, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court upheld the High Court’s verdict that declared the decision to cancel the quota system, including the first and second-class freedom fighter quota in government jobs, illegal.
On June 5, the High Court declared illegal the circular that canceled 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.
Following the High Court ruling, various discussions and criticisms emerged on social media, and protests and demonstrations took place at several locations, including Dhaka University.
Meanwhile, students of Dhaka University have demanded the withdrawal of the High Court’s verdict to reinstate the 30% quota for the children of freedom fighters in government jobs from grades 9 to 13.
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.
