Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has issued the following statement on 12th April, 2018 urging the government to sincerely accept the justified demands of the protesting students who have taken to the street for last couple of days seeking reform in the existing quota provision in government jobs and also to create congenial atmosphere to ensure their safe return in the campuses.
“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced to abolish quota system in government jobs while addressing the Parliament on 11th April. But on the contrary, 4 cases have been lodged against the protesting students so far. Such reverse actions have raised question among the peoples about the sincerity of the Prime Minister in this regard.
The announcement of Prime Minister to abolish the quota system is contrary to the constitution. The countrymen are also suspicious about the tactics of the Premier behind such declaration. The protesting students never raised demand for cancelling quota for the sons of the freedom fighters, ethnical minorities and disabled peoples. They have carried out this movement seeking reform in the existing quota system. Despite that, Prime Minister abolished the total quota system which seems intentional as there is no alternative but amending the constitution to materialize her announcement.
Though Prime Minister voiced for abolishing the quota system, but still the students who were detained during the movement, are not released yet. Furthermore, the protesting students are facing new cases and brutal attacks.
In this backdrop, I am calling upon the government to stop filing cases and attacks against the protesting students and also to withdraw all cases immediately. I am urging the authorities concerned to release all the detainees and to create congenial atmosphere for the students so that they can return to their campuses safely.
