Law Minister Anisul Huq stated on Monday that the demonstrators opposing the government employment quota system might present their case in court.
He indicated that the demonstrators might choose a representative to represent them in court. The court would hear their case and administer justice.
This is what the law minister told Prothom Alo over the phone that afternoon.
Speaking on the campaign, the law minister claimed that people opposed to the quota system were not represented by an attorney when the case was heard in court. They were unable to defend their reasoning. The matter is currently before the Appellate Division. They might designate an attorney in the Appellate Division.
Up to 2018, there was a 56% quota for direct hiring into government positions; this included 30% for liberation fighters, 10% for women, 10% for underdeveloped areas, 5% for ethnic minorities, and 1% for those with physical disabilities.
Bangladesh’s Sadharon Chhatra Odhikar Songrokkhon Parishad protested in the streets that year, calling for quota reform and a reduction to 10%.
During one phase of the campaign, the government eliminated the quota for government positions for students in classes I and II, or grades 9 through 13.
On October 4 of that year, a circular from the public administration ministry abolished the quota system.
However, a writ opposing the elimination of the freedom warriors’ quota for government posts was filed with the High Court in 2021 by seven children of independence fighters, including Ohidul Islam.
The court published a rule following the initial hearing. Later, on June 5, during the writ’s final hearing, the High Court ruled that the circular eliminating the freedom fighters’ quota was unlawful.
On June 9th, the state filed a petition in chamber court for a stay of this ruling. The chamber court scheduled the hearing of the petition in front of the whole Appellate Division bench for July 4 on that day.
However, the writ petitioner argued for more time, and on July 4 the court issued a “not today” ruling. The state was also requested to submit a leave to appeal plea.
On the other hand, since July 1st, students and job seekers have been leading a campaign to restore the 2018 circular that eliminated the quota system for government employment.
