HC publishes full verdict on quota

The High Court has published the full verdict in which it declared quota abolishment for first- and second-class government jobs illegal.

Justice KM Kamrul Kader and Justice Khizir Hayat’s bench published the 27-page verdict on Sunday (July 14).

The government scrapped quotas on October 4, 2018, after a series of student protests. Some children of freedom fighters challenged the decision in court.

The bench of Justice Kader and Justice Hayat issued its verdict on June 5 this year. On July 10, the Appellate Division issued a four-week status quo on the verdict. This meant that the 2018 circular would be effective during this time.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Sunday that the quota issue has to be resolved in court and explained that the government cannot do anything in this case.

“I don’t have any right to act against the court’s verdict,” she said. “We can’t do anything until a solution comes from the court.”

The prime minister also reprimanded the quota protesters for making derogatory comments about the freedom fighters.

“Where do they get the courage to speak against the freedom fighters?... Why are they opposing the freedom fighter quota? Do they want the descendants of the Razakars to get all the facilities?”