BCL men demonstrate tacitly opposing quota reformists
Quota protesters on Tuesday iterated their demand for issuance of gazette notification confirming abolition of the reservation system in civil service, a day after a government committee recommended zero quota in class I and II public sector jobs.
The quota reform activists staged the demonstration on Dhaka University campus where ruling party-backed Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) men held a rally.
The BCL leaders and activists welcomed the latest recommendations from the secretary-level committee formed to review the quota system in government jobs.
The quota reform committee on Monday recommended the abolition of the quota system from 9th to 13th grades (class I and class II) of the government jobs.
Hours later, the quota movement leaders cautiously welcomed the move but said they would continue their demonstration until concrete steps are taken. An announcement was made in parliament in April for cancellation of the quota system, following a nationwide student demonstration with the demand for reforms in quota system.
On Tuesday, the activists from both quota reform movement and BCL were chanting slogans in front of the Central Library of the university. There was no report of violence, however.
The quota reform leaders said they still have three points of demands - issuance of gazette notification in line with their 5-point charter of demands, justice for the attacks on the quota reform leaders and withdrawal of all cases filed against them.
They said their supporters were simultaneously holding the demonstration at universities and colleges across the country.
“We’ve been observing peaceful programme since 17 February for our 5-point demand. But, our leaders came under heinous attacks in the past,” said Bin Yamin, joint convenor of the quota reform platform -- Bangladesh Sadharan Chhatra Odhikar Sangrakkhan Parishad.
"We’re now continuing our programme focussing on three points of demands and this movement will continue until the demands are met."