‘Bangla Blockade’ at Science Lab-Shahbagh intersection

Students have blocked the Science Lab and Shahbagh intersection in Dhaka for the second day to enforce the ‘Bangla Blockade’ and press home their four-point demand, including cancellation of the quota system in government jobs and reinstation of the 2018 circular.

Students marched to the Science Lab intersection from New Market area and staged a blockade around 4 pm on Monday (July 8). Later, they started chanting anti-quota slogans.

Due to the blockade, traffic movement in the areas came to a halt.

Meanwhile, law enforcers were seen taking position at Shahbagh intersection some time before 4 pm and later students proceeded with processions there and staged a blockade.

On Sunday, after the ‘Bangla Blockade’ programme, the protestors announced that their actions would continue on Monday. Accordingly, they began putting up barricade at key points in the capital on Monday, raising concerns about severe traffic congestion like the previous day.

The four-point demands of the protesting students include reinstating the 2018 circular conditionally, forming a commission to promptly remove irrational and discriminatory quotas in government jobs (all grades), ensuring that quota benefits cannot be used multiple times, and filling vacant positions based on merit if no qualified candidates are found through quotas. Effective measures must be taken to ensure a corruption-free, impartial, and merit-based bureaucracy.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the High Court’s verdict that declared the decision to cancel the quota system, including the first and second-class freedom fighter quota in government jobs, illegal.

On June 5, the High Court declared illegal the circular that canceled the quotas, including those for freedom fighters, in first and second-class government jobs.

As a result, the 30% quota for freedom fighters in government jobs (grades 9 to 13) will remain in place.

Following the High Court ruling, various discussions and criticisms emerged on social media. Additionally, protests and demonstrations took place in several locations, including Dhaka University.

Meanwhile, students of Dhaka University demanded the withdrawal of the High Court's verdict to reinstate the 30% quota for the children of freedom fighters in government jobs from grades 9 to 13.

On October 4, 2018, the Ministry of Public Administration issued a circular to implement the cabinet’s decision to abolish the existing quota system for direct recruitment to first and second-class posts in government jobs.