WITHOUT solving the issue of quota reform in civil service recruitment, the government on Tuesday trickily issued a new circular for the 40th BCS recruitment, which exposes the government’s unwillingness to reform the quota system. After the declaration, the government also retreated while ruling men harshly attacked many protestors across the country and law enforcers fended off the flame by arresting student leaders. In the backdrop of the cabinet secretary’s exposure on complete abolition of the discriminatory quota, the new circular is just a flame in the gunpowder that showed the unsteadiness and confusion over quota inside the government.
News media reported that the agitating students have decided to wage fresh movement to meet their demands. The students placed a three-point demand including withdrawal of all cases against the quota reformists, publication of the gazette notification and ensuring punishment of those who attacked quota reformists. In April, students of public and private universities across the country took to the streets demanding reforms in the quota system. 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 scrapping of the quota systems. On July 2, the government formed a seven-member committee to “review reform or cancel” the quota system and it was asked to submit a report within 15 workings days. At present, about 56 percent of government jobs are reserved for candidates from various quotas.
When the government forms committee for suggesting the government over quota reform, issuing new circular could cause ignition just before the national election. We must say the new circular without fixing the burning question is ridiculous and provocative to students who demand for reform the discriminatory 56 percent quota in civil service entry.
