Two students of Dhaka University have filed a petition with the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court challenging the High Court (HC) verdict that restored the 30 percent quota for the freedom fighters' children.

Following the development today (July 9) at noon, the hearing on the application will be held in full bench of the Appellate Division on Wednesday. 

Chamber judge Md Ashfaqul Islam fixed the date of hearing on the petition that sought a stay of the High Court's judgment.

Al Saadi Bhuiyan, a student of Dhaka University's anthropology department and also president of Dhaka University Journalist Association, and Ahnaf Sayeed Khan, a student of the Urdu department, submitted the petition.

As much as 56% quota was prevalent in government jobs in Bangladesh until 2018. Out of this, 30% was reserved for freedom fighters’ children, 10% for women, 10% for residents of backward districts, 5% for people from minority groups, and 1% for disabled people.

That year there were huge protests in various educational institutions of the country, including Dhaka University, demanding quota reform. Following the protests, the Ministry of Public Administration issued a circular cancelling the quota on 4 October of that year. However, the children of some freedom fighters later challenged the quota cancellation circular in the High Court.

In the verdict regarding the writ, that part of the circular was declared invalid on 5 June. Since then job-seeking students have started protests.

BDST: 1613 HRS, JULY 09, 2024
MN/SMS