Quota protesters call human chain tomorrow

Demonstrators have called for fresh programmes as the government is yet to publish a gazette based on prime minister’s assurance of abolishing quota system in civil service.

Bangladesh Sadharan Chhatra Adhikar Sangrakkhan Parishad today called for human chains across all universities and colleges tomorrow 11:00am demanding swift gazette publication.

Nurul Haque Nur, joint convener of the platform, read out a written statement at a press briefing held at Dhaka University Central Library premises this morning.

“It has been 27 days since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced abolishment of quota service at the parliament. But even now, there has been no gazette notification. The students are disappointed. We are requesting the government not to force the students to the streets again,” he said.

Rashed Khan, another joint convener, alleged that the lawmen are inquiring about family details of those leading the platform. “We understand that they are trying to trap us.”

A student was wielding a festoon saying "Where is the gazette, we want gazette," during a recent press briefing. Star file photo

Yesterday, Cabinet Secretary M Shafiul Alam confirmed that there has been no progress regarding the publication of a gazette abolishing the quotas in government jobs.

Yesterday was the deadline set by the quota reform demonstrators for publication of a gazette regarding the quotas. On April 26, leaders of the quota reform movement threatened to launch fresh programmes in May for the gazette notification.

Under the banner of Bangladesh Shadharan Chhatra Odhikar Sangrakkhan Parishad, students launched the movement on February 17 over their five-point demand, including reduction of the quota privilege to 10 percent from 56.

Students of public universities and then private universities across the country -- centrally led by Dhaka University -- took to the streets demanding reforms of the quota system in one of the most widespread protests in recent times.

In the face of mass protests by students across the country, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced scrapping the quota system in parliament on April 11.