Status quo for a month on HC verdict that upheld quotas

The Appellate Division of the Bangladesh Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered status quo for one month on the High Court verdict that declared the scrapping of quotas in government jobs as illegal.

The five-member court, led by Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan, passed the order after hearing an appeal filed by the state.

The court also urged the agitators to return to the classrooms and call off their street demonstrations.

Meanwhile, students and job seekers gathered in front of the central library of Dhaka University on Wednesday to protest the reinstatement of the quota system in government jobs. They are preparing to block the Shahbagh intersection, according to the organizers.

Additionally, a group of Dhaka University students blocked the Chankharpul intersection, a busy road near Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Due to the blockade, there was a long tailback of vehicles on the Mayor Hanif Flyover.

Students staged a sit-in on the road, chanting slogans such as "We want merit-based recruitment, no quotas except for the disabled," "Students' action, direct action," and "No more tears for the meritorious," reports our correspondent from the spot.

According to the organisers' announcement, all major roads in the country will be blocked today, with only emergency service vehicles allowed to pass through.

FH/NMA