Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan emphasized on Wednesday that students demanding quota reform should present their arguments in court rather than holding street demonstrations.
“The manner of the students’ protests cannot be appreciated. The High Court has given a verdict, and whether it is correct is for the Appellate Division to decide. The Appellate Division can overturn, modify, or uphold the High Court’s verdict. Students should present their arguments in court, which is the proper forum,” stated Chief Justice Hassan.
He added, “Protests cannot change verdicts. Only courts can change verdicts.”
Chief Justice Hassan thanked the two students who brought the appeal to the Appellate Division and their lawyer Shah Manjurul Haque. He made these comments while issuing a four-week status quo on the subject matter regarding quotas in government jobs and the High Court judgement.
He noted that students are being constantly provoked to protest, mentioning that while students may protest due to grievances, those responsible for guiding them are failing in their duties.
Criticizing television talk show panelists, Chief Justice Hassan remarked, “It seems as if no one is wiser than the talk show panelists. We, as judges, apparently know nothing.”
The Appellate Division urged protesting students to return to their classes and expressed hope that university authorities would ensure a proper educational environment. The court stated that students wishing to join the case could do so through a lawyer and that their statements would be heard during the hearings.
Meanwhile, the Appellate Division issued a four-week stay order on the High Court’s verdict declaring the abolition of the freedom fighter quota system illegal, asking the state and students to file a leave to appeal against the verdict.
On Wednesday, the five-member Appellate Division, headed by Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan, passed the order around 11:45 am, instructing protesting students to return to their classes and attend their exams.
