Quota reform protesters announce ‘Bangla Blockade’ from tomorrow

The quota reform protesters have announced a 'Bangla Blockade' programme starting tomorrow, demanding the restoration of the circular that abolished the quota system in public jobs in 2018.

Nahid Islam, the coordinator of the ‘Anti-Discrimination Student Movement’, announced the programme during a demonstration at the Shahbagh intersection in Dhaka on Saturday afternoon.

Before ending the blockade, Nahid Islam said that the 'Bangla Blockade' programme would begin at 3 pm tomorrow.

The Bangla Blocked programme will begin at the Shahbagh intersection. Besides, students and job seekers will also stage the programme at other locations, including the Science Lab intersection, Chankharpool, Nilkhet, Motijheel and different strategic intersections, Nahid announced.

Students from districts and universities outside Dhaka will block highways.

He said, "The government is acting irresponsibly by putting students against the court. The executive division of the government cannot evade its responsibility. In 2018, the Prime Minister said there would be no quotas. So why have they returned? Why are the students being tricked? If necessary, we will announce programmes like hartals to achieve our demands. This is not just a student movement; teachers and guardians must also join the protest."

Noting the huge response to the student strike and boycott of classes and exams, Nahid said, "Even if the teachers return to class, we will not go back until our demands are met."

He demanded the reopening of the Dhaka University central library immediately.

He also alleged that the aspirants of Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of the ruling Awami League, are obstructing protesting students in the university halls from joining the movement.

"We know how to break the locks if necessary. We urge the university administration to take prompt action on this matter," he said.

Earlier, at around 3:15 pm, quota reform protesters brought out a procession from in front of the Dhaka University central library.

Parading through the campus and adjacent areas, the procession ended at the Shahbagh intersection and started the blockade there at 4:37 pm.

Earlier, the police had taken positions on the Shahbagh road but did not obstruct the protesting students.

The protesters continued their blockade for 50 minutes.

On June 5, the High Court declared the 2018 circular that cancelled quotas, including those for freedom fighters, in first and second-class government jobs, to be illegal.

As a result, the 30% quota for freedom fighters in government jobs (grades 9 to 13) will remain in effect.