Public university students protest against restoration of freedom fighter quota

Students from the country's top public universities have staged protest programmes opposing the restoration of the freedom fighter quota in government jobs from grades 9 to 13.

Students from the Dhaka University (DU), Jahangirnagar University (JU), Rajshahi University (RU), Chittagong University (CU), and Jagannath University (JnU) held protest programmes on their respective campuses across the country.

In Jahangirnagar University (JU), the protest began at 11:30am in front of the university's central library. Students marched to the main gate, where they continued their demonstration. 

Following the rally, they blocked the Dhaka-Aricha highway for five minutes, with over two hundred students participating in the mock blockade.

During the protest, students chanted slogans such as "No place for discrimination in 71' Bangla" and "Spread the word across Bangla, bury the quota system."

In 2018, after a prolonged student movement demanding quota reform, the government abolished 45% of quotas, including the 30% freedom fighters quota, in government jobs from grades 9 to 13, and issued a circular for merit-based recruitment.

However, in 2021, job aspirant Ahidul Islam, the child of a freedom fighter, along with six others, challenged the validity of this circular through a writ petition. 

In the final hearing of the petition yesterday (5 June), the High Court declared the 2018 circular illegal, reinstating the freedom fighter quota in government jobs.

Protesting students argued that reinstating the freedom fighter quota would disadvantage meritorious students and called for the immediate abolition of the 30% quota for freedom fighters in government jobs.

Arif Sohel, a student of the International Relations Department of JU, said, "Our movement is against this discriminatory system. Our constitution includes three main principles - equality, social dignity, and social justice. The quota system goes against these principles. We are fighting to uphold these fundamental principles of our constitution."

Al Mamun, a student of the Bangla Department of the university, said, "It's been 53 years since independence, and maintaining a 30% quota for the children and grandchildren of freedom fighters in government jobs is discriminatory. We respect freedom fighters as the heroes of our nation. However, the quota system is unjust to us. With the quota system in place, ordinary students like me won't get their merits recognised."

Following the High Court's decision to restore the quota, students of Dhaka University rejected the verdict and staged a protest last night (5 June). 

Today they organised another protest under the banner of "Bikkhubdho Chatro Shomaj" in front of the Raju Memorial Sculpture.

Nahid Hossain, a student of the Sociology Department of DU, said, "The High Court did not consider the 2018 quota reform movement while delivering the verdict. General students reject this verdict. No country's education system can have 56% quota (30% freedom fighter quota, 26% others) in government jobs. The court's decision to restore the quota disregards the students' demands. We respect freedom fighters, but giving their descendants, including grandchildren, preferential job access is unfair."

The protesting students of Dhaka Unversity announced plans for another rally this afternoon.

Students of Rajshahi University gathered for a human chain in front of the central library, protesting the restoration of the quota this morning. 

Sanjida, a student of the Law Department, said, "Although as a woman I have a reserved quota for first-class jobs, I oppose this system. If I have the merit and skills, I can secure a job on my own. Every woman in Bangladesh has that capability. The discrimination that our freedom fighters ended during the Liberation War should not return through their descendants."

Al Amin, a student of Islamic History Department, said, "I am a physically challenged person, yet I oppose the quota system. I got admitted to this university on the general merit list, not through the quota. We respect freedom fighters and want them to receive their due honor, but we don't want general students to be deprived because of the quota system."

Chittagong University students gathered at the Zero Point and staged a protest last night after the High Court's decision was announced. 

Atiqur Rahman, a second-year student of Islamic Studies, said, "We dream of a government job after 20 years of education. If 56% of first-class jobs are reserved as quotas, we will have to stop dreaming. Our demand is the abolition of this system and the proper evaluation of merit."

Jagannath University students held a protest march and human chain against the quota restoration order today at 11am. 

The protest began in front of the university's main gate, followed by a brief rally and a march around Victoria Park and Bangla Bazar, ending back at the main gate.

Jashim Uddin, a student of the university, said, "We will never accept this discrimination. Following the 2018 movement, the government abolished the quota system. The High Court has restored it and we reject this verdict. What contribution do the grandchildren of freedom fighters have? Why should they get so many opportunities? The grandchildren and we ordinary students are equal."