“First Application of Student Quota in Appointing Student Advisors”: Yamin Molla

Staff Reporter

Binyamin Molla, President of the Bangladesh Chatra Odhikar Porisad, one of the leading student organizations in the quota reform movement, stated that the appointment of student advisors marks the first application of the student quota following the political changes after the August 5 movement led by the Anti-Discrimination Students’ Movement. He made these remarks during a press conference organized by the Chatra Odhikar Porisad at Madhur Canteen, University of Dhaka, on Monday, March 3, at noon. The press conference was held to protest the reinstatement of the quota system and to demand proper treatment and rehabilitation for those killed and injured in the student-citizen uprising.

Molla commented that the appointment of student advisors was the first implementation of the student representative quota. He also criticized the government’s decision to introduce a separate quota for the children of July-August anti-government movement activists for admission to educational institutions.

During the press conference, Molla said, “The Anti-Discrimination Students’ Movement was a united platform of all student organizations’ leaders and activists. However, by appointing student advisors through the quota system, they claimed these advisors represented Anti-Discrimination Students’ Movement. Later, they removed all office-bearing leaders and activists of student organizations from these positions and introduced the coordinator quota. Subsequently, another quota was introduced for student representatives in various reform commissions. This is how we are struggling within the quota system despite opposing it.”

He further added, “We have seen that even in Dhaka University, no programs under the banner of political student organizations are allowed. It is said that student politics is banned, and no student politics can be conducted. Those who enforced these rules are now leading new student organizations. They are running programs at the university and working under the coordinator quota.”

At the press conference, Chhanauallah Haq, Convener of the Dhaka University Council, said, “This government was formed by burying the quota system. But to cover up their failures, they have reintroduced the quota system.”

Molla remarked, “We are now seeing how people are using the coordinator quota to secure big positions and even engage in extortion.”

Referring to the 5% quota for the children of those killed in July during the secondary and higher secondary admission tests, Molla stated that it contradicts the spirit of the July movement and is against the ideals of the movement.

During the event, Binyamin Molla, President of the Students’ Rights Council, presented three demands:

1. The discriminatory quota system must be abolished immediately.
2. Proper treatment and rehabilitation must be ensured for those injured in the movement.
3. The families of the deceased should be provided with a one-time payment of 1 crore taka, and the families of the injured should receive 50 lakh taka for rehabilitation.

The press conference was attended by General Secretary of the Central Council of Chatra Odhikar Porisad, General Nazmul Hasan, and Member Secretary of the Dhaka University Chatra Odhikar Porisad, Rakibul Hasan, among others.