Since July 1, there have been anti-quota rallies among students and job seekers | Photo: Prothom Alo
Bangladesh, July 8, 2024 –
Students and job seekers have been protesting since July 1, demanding that the government get rid of the quota system in public sector jobs and bring back the 2018 government circular.
The protests, happening under the name “Student Movement Against Discrimination,” include boycotting classes, skipping exams, and holding rallies.
Yet, student groups have shown mixed responses, with some staying on the sidelines.
Chhatra League’s Take on the Protests
The Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), connected to the ruling Awami League, has not joined the protests directly.
While some of their members have been spotted at the Madhur Canteen at Dhaka University, they haven’t officially backed the movement.
There are even reports that some BCL members have discouraged others from participating, especially in university halls.
BCL Central President Saddam Hossain explained their stance to “Prothom Alo”.
He stressed the need for a fair solution that balances merit with support for underprivileged groups.
Mob justice is not the solution, according to him; rather, it is a legal and organized approach.
He urged students to be patient while the government’s appeal against the High Court’s decision plays out.
Hossain also warned against political groups using the protests for their own agenda, emphasizing the need to maintain peace and focus on long-term solutions.
Chhatra Dal Backs the Protesters
Protesters have received open support from the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), an opposition party affiliated with the BNP.
While their leaders are not prominent at the rallies, some of their Dhaka University members have joined events at Shahbagh and the university campus.
JCD Central General Secretary Nasir Uddin criticized the government, accusing it of manipulating the courts to reinstate the quota system for political benefits.
Currently, the quota system is ridiculous.
He suggested that a restricted number of seats be designated for persons with special needs.
Nasir also claimed that the government gives fake certificates to party loyalists and hires them unfairly.
He pledged JCD’s full support to the students.
Leftist Groups Call for Changes, Not Abolishment
The Democratic Students’ Alliance, a coalition of seven leftist organizations, held a press conference at Madhur Canteen.
They criticized the freedom fighter quota, saying it’s being used unfairly instead of creating equality.
However, they don’t want to abolish quotas altogether.
Instead, they suggest reforms that would benefit groups like ethnic minorities, women, and people with disabilities.
They claimed that politicians took advantage of the freedom warrior quota.
The alliance called for a task force to design a fair and inclusive system.
Independent Students Take the Lead
One standout feature of this movement is the participation of independent students who aren’t affiliated with political groups.
Leaders from Democratic Student Power, a group formed by ex-members of Chhatra Odhikar Parishad, have been key organizers.
Other active groups include Chhatra Federation and Chhatra Paksha, showing a shared goal of ending discrimination in government hiring.
Bigger Picture: Politics and Protests
The anti-quota movement highlights the deeper dissatisfaction many have with how the country is run.
The protests have brought back debates about fairness and transparency in hiring for government jobs.
Experts warn that if the issue isn’t handled carefully, it could lead to wider unrest, especially with elections approaching.
For now, the students remain united in their demand for change.
It remains to be seen whether their efforts will result in real reforms or become lost in political games, but their voices are unmistakable.