Quota protesters threaten fresh demo if gazette not published

The leaders of the quota reform movement on Thursday threatened fresh agitation programmes if a gazette notification cancelling the quota system is not published within this month as per the prime minister’s announcement.

At a press conference in front of Dhaka University’s central library, the protesters also demanded the withdrawal of the five cases filed against unidentified protesters in connection with the demonstrations.

“We want publication of the gazette as per the prime minister’s speech. We want to go back to the table to study,” said Rashed Khan, joint convenor of General Students' Rights Protection Platform (Sadharon Chhatra Odhikar Sangrokkhon Parishad).

“We have been carrying out peaceful demonstrations demanding a reform in the existing quota system since 17 February this year. But, some of the media outlets have tried to make the movement controversial.”

Hasan Al Mamun, the convenor, and Farukh Khan and Nurul Haque, joint convenors of the platform, alleged that detectives had picked up a third-year student recently and threatened him.

They warned the authorities concerned not to harass students.

On 12 April, prime minister Sheikh Hasina announced annulment of the quota system in the public services amid huge protests from job seekers and students.

"Since no one wants the quota, I think, there should be no quota," Sheikh Hasina said in parliament in reply to a supplementary question from Awami League MP Jahangir Kabir Nanak.