Govt reintroduced quota in schools for political purpose: Chhatra Odhikar Parishad

The Bangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad has accused the interim government of extending secondary school admission quotas to the family members of those injured or killed in the 2024 July uprising for political reasons.

Speaking at a press briefing at Dhaka University to protest the government's decision today (3 March), the student platform warned of launching a strong movement unless all quotas in educational institutions and the Bangladesh Railway are abolished.

The government yesterday (2 March) decided to extend secondary school admission quotas to include the families of those impacted by the 2024 July uprising, in addition to the existing provisions for children of freedom fighters and martyred freedom fighters.

At the press briefing, Chhatra Odhikar Parishad President Bin Yamin Molla criticised the government's move, stating, "The quota system we fought to abolish has been reinstated in just seven months. This decision contradicts the spirit of the mass uprising. We believe that merit should be the sole criterion for evaluating students in educational institutions."

He also pointed out that ward quotas remain in place for railway jobs and primary educational institutions, and the government has not addressed these issues in the past seven months. 

He warned, "If these discriminatory quotas are not abolished, we will intensify our movement."

"This government has failed to achieve its goals, including providing treatment for the injured, reforming the state, and controlling inflation. Instead, it has reinstated quotas to cover up these failures and win political support."

Bin Yamin Molla also criticised the post-uprising appointment of advisers, claiming that a student quota system was introduced for these roles. 

"Advisers were appointed on the basis of a student quota, while representatives of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement were expelled," he said.

While Bin Yamin Molla stated that his organisation does not oppose providing benefits to the injured and martyrs of the July uprising, he made it clear that quotas are not acceptable. 

"The government has failed to honour the uprising victims appropriately. They still have to take to the streets for their demands," he said.

He further alleged that the leaders of the Students Against Discrimination (SAD) platform have misused the movement for personal gain. 

"Those who once preached neutrality are now involved in politics. They have committed political fraud, and we strongly condemn this misuse of the anti-discrimination platform."

During the press conference, Bin Yamin Molla presented a three-point demand on behalf of his organisation, which are abolishing all existing quotas in educational institutions and the Bangladesh Railway; ensuring the treatment and rehabilitation of those injured in the uprising and their families; and providing one-time financial assistance of Tk1 crore to the families of the martyrs and Tk50 lakh to the families of the injured.