Protestors announce day-long blockade Wednesday

The students, who have been waging a movement against the quota system in government jobs, have announced to enforce a day-long road blockade across the country on Wednesday.

The programme was announced from a media conference, organised by the “anti-discrimination student movement” in front of the Dhaka University central library Tuesday afternoon.

Addressing the media conference, Nahid Islam said, “Everyone will gather in front of the Dhaka University central library at 10:00 am tomorrow (Wednesday) under the Bangla Blockade programme. From there a procession will go to Shahbagh intersection and the blockade will be enforced.”

He further said that the blockade will continue until dusk.

The anti-quota demonstrators enforced road blockade programmes in different parts of the capital for two days, Sunday and Monday, to press home their demand. This created huge traffic congestions in a large section of the city both days.

Following the two days’ programmes, the students conducted a mass campaign Tuesday.

The public administration ministry on 4 October 2018 issued a circular abolishing the quota from 9th to 13th grades (Class I and II) in government jobs.

However, in 2021, seven children of freedom fighters, including Ohidul Islam, filed a writ with the High Court challenging the abolition of the freedom fighters’ quota for government jobs.

The High Court issued a rule over the primary hearing of the writ on 6 December 2021, seeking explanation about showing disrespect to freedom fighters and non-compliance of the High Court and the Appellate Division orders.

After the final hearing, the High Court declared the rule “absolute” on 5 June.

Seeking the stay of the High Court verdict, the state filed a petition, which was placed for hearing at the full bench of the Appellate Division via the chamber court.

As the writ petitioner sought time, the Appellate Division ordered “not today” (4 July).

Moreover, the state was asked to file a regular leave to appeal.

Meanwhile, two students today filed the petition against the High Court verdict.