The students calling for quota reforms to government jobs have postponed their protests following Prime Minister’s announcement that quotas will be abolished. Before call-off their protest, the protesters under the banner of Council for the Preservation of Bangladesh General Students’ Rights placed a number of demands including quick issuance of a gazette and the withdrawal of cases filed over the demonstrations.
We welcome the decision of Prime Minister that she has accepted the sincere demands of the younger generation. And we think the swift issuing of a gazette notification regarding the PM’s announcement can only cool down the students permanently. Besides, the unconditional release of all protesters imprisoned over the past few days should be taken under active consideration of the government high-ups. The government should remember that any future harassment on students would be met with future protests. The student’s council also demanded the payment of medical bills of injured persons in police action.
Though the student agitation has stopped getting assurance from top of the government, there is some confusion regarding the abolition of quotas. So, there is no way but to publish a gazette immediately to dispel this confusion. Not only that, the new policy of government job without quota should also be cleared in the notification.
The students had demanded a reformation of quota system; they never demanded its abolition. Now, the government has to clarify how the disadvantage groups-such as disabled persons, women, ethnic community, and others to get an opportunity for government jobs. Even, the issue of freedom fighters should also be explained. Whether these groups will get government jobs through direct competition or special category will be created for them.
We know, the quota system was introduced in the country to encourage the underprivileged people. As per our constitution, every citizen of the country deserves benefit from the state. It is the government’s duty to ensure it. Constitution shows no disparity between a student of a Dhaka’s famous school and a student of remote village. Now in absence of quota, most of the jobs will be captured by the well-educated students of established universities of major cities. The candidates of rural areas will seldom get a chance by beating them.
So everything must be elaborated in the gazette. Otherwise, the deprived people will again gather to register their protest with demanding special facility for them. We don’t want to see another movement for restoring quota again.
We welcome the decision of Prime Minister that she has accepted the sincere demands of the younger generation. And we think the swift issuing of a gazette notification regarding the PM’s announcement can only cool down the students permanently. Besides, the unconditional release of all protesters imprisoned over the past few days should be taken under active consideration of the government high-ups. The government should remember that any future harassment on students would be met with future protests. The student’s council also demanded the payment of medical bills of injured persons in police action.
Though the student agitation has stopped getting assurance from top of the government, there is some confusion regarding the abolition of quotas. So, there is no way but to publish a gazette immediately to dispel this confusion. Not only that, the new policy of government job without quota should also be cleared in the notification.
The students had demanded a reformation of quota system; they never demanded its abolition. Now, the government has to clarify how the disadvantage groups-such as disabled persons, women, ethnic community, and others to get an opportunity for government jobs. Even, the issue of freedom fighters should also be explained. Whether these groups will get government jobs through direct competition or special category will be created for them.
We know, the quota system was introduced in the country to encourage the underprivileged people. As per our constitution, every citizen of the country deserves benefit from the state. It is the government’s duty to ensure it. Constitution shows no disparity between a student of a Dhaka’s famous school and a student of remote village. Now in absence of quota, most of the jobs will be captured by the well-educated students of established universities of major cities. The candidates of rural areas will seldom get a chance by beating them.
So everything must be elaborated in the gazette. Otherwise, the deprived people will again gather to register their protest with demanding special facility for them. We don’t want to see another movement for restoring quota again.
