13 July 2024: Anti-quota protesters stand firm amid government hardline

Students have continued their movement under the banner of the 'Anti-Discrimination Student Movement,' demanding quota reform. Their 'Bangla Blockade' program brought the capital to a standstill throughout the past week.

On 13 July, comments from several government officials suggested that they were gradually taking a hardline approach.

"Those who are continuing demonstrations after fulfillment of their demand of reinstatement of the government's 2018 circular, are guided by evil motives. I think they don't want quota reformation, but they have malafide intentions." … Mohammad Ali Arafat, former State Minister for Information and Broadcasting

Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader commented that the demands and statements of the quota protesters contradict the constitution and the fundamental principles of the state. Emphasising the necessity of the quota system in the country's current context, Quader said a vested group is attempting to exploit the quota reform movement for their personal interest.

The same day, Harun Or Rashid, former Detective Branch (DB) Chief, commented that intruders have entered into the quota movement to divert it towards different directions. "If someone does not obey the order of the court, damages the lives and properties and blockade the roads, then the law enforcers will carry out the logical tasks to this end," he said.

Mohammad Ali Arafat, former State Minister for Information and Broadcasting questioned the logical ground for frequent change in the demands of the quota protesters.

"The government's position and demand of the quota protesters are very much identical. There is no reason to seek its solution from the court, legislative and executive at different times."

He mentioned that it's not the task of the judiciary or legislative, but the executive to find out a decision on the quota issue. So, the government has put in its all efforts to resolve the issue through exhausting the prevailing legal procedure.

"Those who are continuing demonstrations causing public suffering after fulfillment of their demand of reinstatement of the government's 2018 circular, are guided by evil motives. I think they don't want quota reformation, but they have malafide intentions," he added.

Former Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud said that the ongoing crisis over quota system in government jobs has to be resolved through court. "I urge those who do not understand the matter or do not want to understand it or those who are incited by others including BNP, not to mislead the young students," he said.

Meanwhile, the movement coordinators stated that they would continue their demonstrations until their demands are met.

"Intruders have entered into the quota movement to divert it towards different directions." … Harun Or Rashid, former Detective Branch (DB) Chief

A case was filed at Shahbagh Police Station the previous day against 'unidentified' students, accusing them of vandalising police vehicles during the protest.

Giving a 24-hour ultimatum to the police to withdraw the case, Nahid Islam said, "The police are claiming that the students caused damage to them. If there really was any damage, there's no need to file a case against unknown persons — they can file the case in our names."

Coordinators announced that they would hold a protest march and submit a memorandum outlining their demands to the President the next day (14 July).

"We will hold a protest march tomorrow at 11 am, starting from Dhaka University campus. Students from different districts will come together and present their demands in a letter to the President. Outside Dhaka, demands will be handed over to the deputy commissioners," Hasnat Abdullah, a coordinator of the movement, said at a press conference in front of the Dhaka University central library.