Quota protesters' demands contradict Constitution, state principles: Quader

FE Team | Published: July 13, 2024 22:40:46

Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Saturday presides over a meeting with the public university teachers who are on an indefinite strike since July 1 protesting Prottoy pension scheme under the government's Universal Pension Scheme — Focus Bangla

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Saturday said the demands and statements of the quota protesters contradict the constitution and the fundamental principles of state governance.
He asserted the law regarding the quota system will proceed in its own pace, reports UNB.
Quader made these remarks during a briefing at the Awami League President's office in Dhanmondi. He emphasised the necessity of the quota system in the current context of the country, pointing out that a conspiratorial group is attempting to exploit the quota reform movement for their own gain.
"The absence of a quota system in recent years led to disappointing participation rates among women and marginalised communities," Quader remarked.
He further highlighted Bangladesh has one of the lowest quota percentages for recruitment in South Asia, citing that India has 60 per cent, Pakistan 92.5 per cent, Nepal 45 per cent, and Sri Lanka 50 per cent in public sector jobs and 60 per cent in university admissions.
Prior to the press briefing, Quader met with representatives from university faculties who are protesting for pension reforms.
The meeting included 13 teacher representatives led by Akhtarul Islam, President of the Bangladesh University Teachers Association Federation, and General Secretary Professor Nizamul Haque Bhuiyan. Quader assured that the teachers' other demands would be resolved through discussions.
Additionally, Quader addressed the ongoing flood crisis affecting approximately 2 million people across 15 districts. He noted Awami League representatives and activists are actively assisting alongside the government to support the flood victims.
The briefing was attended by other Awami League leaders including Joint General Secretaries Mahbubul Alam Hanif and AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Organizational Secretaries BM Mozammel Haque, Mirza Azam, and Afzal Hossain, Sujit Roy Nandi, Office Secretary Biplab Barua, Deputy Minister for Education Shamsunnahar Chapa, and Prime Minister's Advisor on Education and Culture, poet Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury.