2 July 2024: Campuses across the country unite against ‘irrational quotas’

Although the court ruling invalidating the previous circular from 2018 on cancelling quotas for children of freedom fighters and others in government jobs actually came in early June, the student protests against the court ruling — which eventually toppled Sheikh Hasina — actually intensified starting from July 2024.

All campuses in Bangladesh rose up on 1 July with rallies and programmes, and that continued on 2 July as well. Nahid Islam, coordinator of the Students Against Discrimination, announced a rally in front of Dhaka University's central library at 2:30pm.

"We urge students of all colleges and universities across the country to observe the programme under the banner at the same time," he said. Students across Bangladeshi universities responded by staging rallies against the court's quota decision.

Photo: Collected

"We are not speaking specifically against the freedom fighter quota. Rather, we are speaking out against all irrational quotas, including the special treatment given to descendants. It is important to remember that the freedom fighter quota and the spirit of the Liberation War are not the same thing."

Nahid Islam

Students at Jahangirnagar University, in particular, blocked the Dhaka–Aricha highway, resulting in a massive traffic jam on both sides in and out of Dhaka. They had also blocked the road the previous day, replicating the same long tailbacks.

Students of Rajshahi University also staged a demonstration on 2 July, forming a human chain on the university's Paris Road.

At Dhaka University, students of Dhaka College also joined, and later jointly blocked the Shahbagh intersection. Following the blockade, the students marched towards the DU vice-chancellor's bungalow and ended the day's programme there.

Key demands raised by students included reforming the quota system by capping it at 10%, restricting the use of quota facilities multiple times in job examinations, and filling vacant posts based on merit if no qualified candidates are found within the quota, among others.

In 2018, in the face of massive student protests, the government had issued a circular abolishing all the 56% quotas, although jobseekers had only demanded reforms, not the abolition of the quota system introduced in 1972.

Hasnat Abdullah. Photo: Collected

"We shall remain on the streets for as long as our demands are not fulfilled."

Hasnat Abdullah

However, the High Court directed the government to restore 30% quotas for the children and grandchildren of freedom fighters in government jobs, instigating protests that would result in an uprising against Sheikh Hasina, ultimately leading to her fall.

"We are not speaking specifically against the freedom fighter quota. Rather, we are speaking out against all irrational quotas, including the special treatment given to descendants. It is important to remember that the freedom fighter quota and the spirit of the Liberation War are not the same thing," Nahid Islam said at the 2 July programme.

Hasnat Abdullah said the students will remain on the streets for "as long as our demands are not fulfilled".