Writ seeks dropping quota system in civil service

A writ petition has been filed with the High Court seeking cancellation of the quota system in civil service.

Two journalists and a Dhaka University student submitted the petition today, also praying to direct the government to re-evaluate the quota system, describing it as discriminatory.

Dhaka University student Anisur Rahman Mir, Commilla Journalist Association Member Secretary Didarul Alam, and daily Amader Orthoniti Senior Sub-Editor Abdul Wadud submitted the petition. They said, the quota system is contrary to the constitution as it does not allow discrimination.

They said, the government introduced 30 percent quota for the Freedom Fighters and 10 percent for the victimised women on November 5, 1972, applicable for the government, private, defence, semi-government and nationalised institutions.

Later on, the quota system was reformed and changed.

A Dhaka University student Shahabuddin Shaheen committed suicide on June 3, 2014 as he could not get a government job due to the quota system, they said in the petition.

Petitioner’s lawyer Md Aklas Uddin Bhuiyan told The Daily Star that they will move the writ petition before the High Court next week for hearing.