Dr. Syed Anwar Husain, Professor, BUP: If the quota reform protesters were informed that more 75% posts in public service are filled through recruitment process without any quota, there would not have any necessity of demonstration.
The 30% quota for freedom fighters could never be filled up, with the quota limit seeing just 9% covered in the past few years and merit-based process posting 75% recruitment. If the protesters were informed about the matter, they would have never stepped forward towards quota movement. Then again, the quota system needs reformation and there has to be no contradiction in this regard. Crossing the line over the quota reform is unexpected.
An unnecessary and unexpected complication has arisen over the issue. After the prime minister’s announcement scrapping the quota provision, a bureaucratic committee was supposed to be formed, but that did not happen. Procrastination in forming the committee is triggering frustration among students, which does not have any convincing the logic now. This is because a committee has already been formed over the quota demonstration and that is working on the issue. The committee has been given three months instead of two weeks since the matter is crucial and complicated.
Currently, the quota protesters are being harassed Chhatra League leaders and activists in all universities, which is unwarranted. Chhatra League does have the right to do so. I think a number of teachers have also expressed solidarity with the quota protesters, with some teachers being humiliated by the Chhatra League goons.
The ongoing protests are behind held over the assault on teachers, not the quota reformation. If the universities or the government had taken legal measures, there would not have any logic over the protests. Neither of the measures was taken. We can see that Chhatra League is taking law into own hand despite Awami League general secretary, referring to the party chief, warning them of tough action. It is a very bad signal for Bangladesh, tarnishing the government’s image.
Based on an interview by Ashiq Rahman, translated by Sayeed Muhammad
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