Photo : Collected
Protesters are set to blockade all around 64 districts from Wednesday under the 'Bengal Blockade' movement, demanding the reinstatement of the 2018 government circular that abolished the quota system in government jobs.
This announcement was made at a press conference held in front of the Central Library of Dhaka University on Tuesday (July 9) at 6 PM.
Nahid Islam, the coordinator of the movement, stated, "If the 2018 circular is reinstated, it might cause issues with the quota system again. Therefore, we want a complete solution from the government and the executive department.
Our Bengal Blockade will be enforced across 64 districts nationwide starting tomorrow. The blockade will be in effect from 10 AM to 6 PM, covering both road and railways."
Another coordinator of the movement, Sarjis Alam, said, "If the executive department of the government forms a commission and accepts our demands, only then will we leave the streets and return to our classrooms."
Hasnat Abdullah, a key coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, said, "We believe a 5% quota, including all quotas, is reasonable."
Earlier, on Monday (July 8), students blockaded various locations in Dhaka, including Paribagh intersection, Banglamotor intersection, and Karwan Bazar intersection in front of the Intercontinental Hotel.
Meanwhile, students from Eden, Dhaka College, and Titumir College blockaded Science Laboratory intersection, Sufia Kamal Hall of Dhaka University, and students from Badrunnesa College blockaded intersections at Chankharpul, Matsya Bhaban, and Farmgate. This effectively brought traffic in Dhaka to a standstill.
It is noteworthy that on June 5, the High Court declared the circular abolishing the freedom fighter quota for direct recruitment (9th to 13th grade) in government offices, autonomous and semi-autonomous institutions, and various corporations illegal. Since that day, a large number of students from Dhaka University have taken to the streets in protest.
In this situation, the state party appealed to the Appellate Division to suspend the High Court's verdict. The full bench of the Appellate Division set July 4 for the hearing on the appeal.
Messenger/Shahed/Sumon
