Photo: Messenger
The students of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University (BSMRSTU) blocked the Gopalganj city-Ghonapara bypass road on the 7th day of the movement demanding quota reform in government jobs. Students blocked the bypass road from 3:30 pm today (11 July).
On Thursday, ordinary students joined the anti-quota movement in front of the main gate of the university despite the heavy rain. The students occupied the main gate of the university and blocked the Gopalganj city-Ghonapara bypass road. At this time, the police can be seen taking a strong position.
Meanwhile, students blocked Dhaka-Khulna highway and Gopalganj-Ghonapara road yesterday. As a result, strict police presence can be seen in front of the university (bypass road) and Dhaka-Khulna highway today. But no violence or untoward incident was reported.
However, various types of vehicles are stopped during the road blockade. Students played football in the empty streets. Though, ambulances and other emergency services are running smoothly. Buses carrying university teachers, officials and employees were also stopped during this time.
The general students of BSMRSTU implemented the 'Bangla Blockade' program in solidarity with the 1st demand of the anti-quota discrimination student movement going on across the country. The one-point demand is that discriminatory quotas should be abolished in all grades of government jobs and quota reforms should be kept only for backward communities, tribals, women, disabled people and a permanent solution should be found on how much quota should be allocated for the third generation of freedom fighters.
A protesting student said, we have only one demand Instead of maintaining this unreasonable 56% quota, let reasonable quota be entertained for the underprivileged, disabled, tribals, women and third generation children of freedom fighters. That is, a coherent quota should be reformed to give opportunities to the talented to build the country.
He also said that freedom fighter quota is in conflict with the freedom fighters' sacrifices and sacrifices for the creation of a discrimination-free country. So they should reform the freedom fighter quota for the third generation and issue an executive order. The total quota should be limited to 5%.
It is to be noted that on Wednesday, July 10, the Appellate Division issued a one-month stay on the High Court's verdict declaring the decision to cancel the freedom fighter quota system in the first and second class of government jobs invalid. As a result of this order, the circular issued by the government in 2018 canceling all the quota system remains in place for the time being.
Messenger/Sakib/Sourov
