9 July 2024: Students remain steadfast on one-point demand, resume Bangla Blockade
Students were urged to gather in front of their respective educational institutions and occupy key points with sit-ins and blockades.
The Students Against Discrimination announced a nationwide dawn-to-dusk blockade under the banner of "Bangla Blockade", set to be observed the next day. The programme, scheduled to begin at 10am, was declared to cover both roads and railways across the country.
At a press conference, Nahid Islam, coordinator of the movement, stated that the protesters now had a single-point demand: to abolish all irrational and discriminatory quotas across all grades in government recruitment. They demanded a reformed quota system, reduced to a minimum level solely for underprivileged groups as recognised in the Constitution, and formalised through legislation in Parliament.
"The incident happened in court. Protesting on the streets will not resolve this. Protesting in this way may even lead to contempt of court at some point. In that case, the right place to resolve the quota issue is the court." Anisul Huq, Former Law Minister
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During the same briefing, student representatives proposed a maximum quota of 5% for government jobs. Another coordinator of the Students Against Discrimination, Hasnat Abdullah, clarified that the movement is not entirely against quotas, nor does it oppose the quota reserved for freedom fighters.
He reiterated, "Our movement is not anti-quota, but rather seeks a rational reform based on reality. We do not question any benefits provided to freedom fighters, the most valiant children of the nation. In fact, we would welcome the expansion of their privileges. What we object to is the continuation of quotas for their grandchildren."
Students were urged to gather in front of their respective educational institutions and occupy key points with sit-ins and blockades. Organisers also called for emergency services, such as ambulances and press vehicles, to be allowed safe passage during the blockade.
Although no formal blockade was observed on the day, the student strike and boycott of classes and exams remained in force. The movement also continued its online and offline mobilisation campaigns. Meanwhile, two students filed a petition in the High Court seeking a stay on a previous verdict related to the quota system. However, Students Against Discrimination denied any connection with those petitioners.
Demonstrators lifted their blockades after four hours.
Later that day, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader acknowledged the movement's shift towards legal action. "We have heard that the quota protesters have appointed legal counsel and will appear before the court in due course. This is a rational decision, and we thank them for it," he said.
