Khalequzzaman, General Secretary, Socialist Party of Bangladesh (SPB):
The government should make its stand crystal clear over reforming the existing quota system in public service recruitments. The quota reformists pointed to a kind of anarchy and discrepancy in this regard and that’s why they demanded the reformation.
But the action taken against the quota reform activists is not justified. We want immediate and unconditional release of the quota reformists. The quota system was introduced for making provision in favour any backward section of citizens for the purpose of securing their adequate representation in the service of the Republic.
The freedom fighter quota was introduced as a mark of respect and recognition to their sacrifice. But we have not yet been able to make an appropriate list of the freedom fighters. Even five secretaries were caught in possession of fake freedom fighters’ certificate. Have they ever been punished?
Some of us say that there has been no protest for a long time. But hundreds of students took to the streets demanding reformation for quota system. Regrettably, the movement was quelled. After a few days, the children took to the streets demanding safe roads.
Silence does not necessarily mean accepting any misdeed. The people are not taking to the streets, because the eligible leadership is not in sight now. It will bring no good for the country if people take to the streets spontaneously in absence of any leadership. That does not mean that the people will sit by. Translated by Hossen Sohel