More quota protests are not reasonable, says Obaidul Quader

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader says that threats of further protests if the government does not quickly issue a gazette regarding the abolition of the civil service quota system are unfeasible.

The minister said that a solution regarding the quotas would be forthcoming and called on the students to return to the campus and put their mind to their studies.

“Sheikh Hasina is the prime minister. She stood before parliament and decreed that there will no longer be any quotas. Why then are there concerns about when the gazette will be issued?”

“We are considering the case of ethnic minorities, the disabled, those from less-developed districts, freedom fighters and women. On top of that the prime minister was abroad for some time. The initiative has not stopped. The quota will be removed in response to the protests.”

Quader called on the protesters to put their trust in Hasina’s words.

“The words the prime minister spoke on the floor of the House should be believed. She never breaks her word. It may be unreasonable to threaten renewed protests if her statements are not issued in a gazette soon.”

“I say to the students – the government is sympathetic to your fair demands and is actively working to meet them. We are trying to reach a reasonable solution. I will ask them for a little patience. The situation will be resolved soon.”

“But boycotting examinations and classes is causing a lot of harm. I hope the stiudemts will return to the campus and return to their studies.”

On Apr 11, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina responded to large-scale quota reform protests and suggested removing the system.

“Instead of repeated protests let us remove it altogether.”

The leader of the government also suggested the formation of a committee to oversee the process, chaired by the cabinet secretary.

Though the Public Administration Ministry submitted a proposal for such a committee to the Prime Minister’s Office on May 10, it has yet to receive a response.

“There is no reason to believe the prime minister will not stick by her word,” said Quader.

“If people are playing politics with the situation it is a different matter. But those who want a reasonable solution should trust in the prime minister’s words instead of fretting over when the gazette is issued.”

Currently 56 percent of entry level positions in the civil service are reserved for various quotas, with 30 percent for freedom fighters’ families, 10 percent for women, 10 percent for less-developed districts, 5 percent for ethnic minorities and 1 percent for those with disabilities.

Protesters under the banner of ‘Council for the Protection of General Students’ Rights’ held several rounds of protests to demand that the quotas be reduced by 10 percent and any seats not filled by the quotas should be filled on merit.

The movement held another round of protests across the country on Sunday to demand that the prime minister’s promise of abolishing quotas be implemented soon.