Govt will do nothing to bypass court on quota issue: Law minister

The government will not bypass the Supreme Court and do anything against it regarding quota reforms, Law Minister Anisul Huq said today (16 July). 

Speaking at a seminar titled "Injustice in Bangladesh: Illegal Law Indemnity and Imprisoned Public Leaders" at the National Press Club in the capital, he said when a matter goes to court, the government waits for what the court has to say.

"So the government will wait till the court verdict on the quota issue. The government will respect the highest court of Bangladesh. It will consider the verdict given by the Supreme Court regarding the quota and will try to follow it." 

At the seminar organised by the Bangladesh Progressive Columnists Forum, he said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina cancelled the quota in 2018. 

"Then, seven to eight children of freedom fighters filed a case in the High Court. Those who are doing the quota movement today, have not gone to the High Court. Suddenly one day, when the High Court judgement came out in the newspaper, they started a movement. 

"Later, they decided to continue the agitation on the streets instead of going to the High Court."

He said students protesting spontaneously can present their statement before the court through a lawyer. 

The court will consider their statements while considering and deciding on the original petition, he added. 

"The Supreme Court has even given them this assurance. Still, there is no need to do this movement."

He also questioned the protesters' slogans.

"If those who are agitating would say - who am I, who are you, we are Bengali, we are the children of freedom fighters - then I would definitely say that they are on the right path."

He said Hasina will listen to logic. 

"If it is good for the people, that will be done by the prime minister. But the government will not deviate from ideals…no one can destroy the spirit of the liberation war of Bangladesh."