Criticizing the quota protesters for pressing fresh programmes after the courts decision to stay the quota system for next four weeks, Awami League (AL) General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Thursday said the quota protesters have been showing strength against the court.
"The quota protesters have been showing strength against the court. It is unwanted and completely illegal," he said, reiterating his urge to the agitating students, who are protesting to scrap the quota system in government service, to go back to their respective educational institutions stopping their movement that creates huge public sufferings.
While addressing a press briefing at the AL Presidents Dhanmondi office in Dhaka, Obaidul Quader, also Road Transport and Bridges Minister, said, "The government must take legal actions if anyone tries to capitalize on the emotion of innocent students and tries to create anarchy across the country."
Quader said BNP wants to turn the anti-quota movement into anti-government agitations. But, Awami League would never allow them to do it, he said, adding, "We will face it politically if anyone tries to give the anti-quota movement a political shape."
"The women have gone backward in absence of quota system in the last five years. The ethnic groups also suffered a lot. Quota system plays an important role in building the state system on basis of diversity and equality," he said, further adding that quota does not create discrimination rather it is needed in some sectors to resolve the discrimination.
The highest court has ruled a status quo for four weeks over the quota system, he added.
The AL General Secretary said, "It is very regretful that efforts were going on to disrupt the normal life of people in the name of Bangla Blockade. Even they are not showing respect to the countrys highest court."
On the other hand, Quader said, some political parties are instigating the innocent students. Even, BNP and some other parties have expressed their support to the movement while Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir claimed that there is no need of the Freedom Fighter Quota, he said.
