Jatiya Party chairman Ghulam Mohammad Quader on Wednesday criticised the government for keeping quota in the name of freedom fighters in government jobs.
鈥楴ot all valiant freedom fighters are underprivileged. The system is unconstitutional,鈥� he said in his concluding speech in the third and budget session of the 12th parliament.
Opposing freedom fighters鈥� quota in jobs, the JP chairman said, 鈥楳aking permanent the quota for freedom fighters would destroy the main purpose of the spirit of our War of Independence.鈥�
He said that earlier there was a 56 per cent quota for government jobs and 44 per cent was based on merit.
In 2018, all quotas were cancelled in the face of student agitation, he added.
鈥楢s a result of a court ruling, students have again taken to the streets,鈥� he said.
Highlighting various statements of students agitating against the quota system, GM Quader said, 鈥業t destroys the main purpose of creating a society based on justice without discrimination.鈥�
Saying that the demand of the students was to cancel the 30 per cent freedom fighters鈥� quota, the opposition leader said that due respect would be given to the freedom fighters.
鈥楤ut there is a different opinion among the students about the matter that all their (Freedom Fighters) successive generations, including grandchildren, should be given such a privilege. Students do not agree with it,鈥� he added.
Quader said that the constitution stipulated equality in terms of opportunities.
The constitution says that there will be equality of opportunity in getting employment, Quader said, adding that no one shall be disqualified for employment in the republic on account of religion, caste and place of birth.
鈥業f the constitution is to be obeyed then it must be obeyed. Not all freedom fighters are underprivileged. So, looking at the issue (freedom fighter quota) in that way is not constitutional,鈥� he said.
The quota system can be kept and if there are no candidates in different quotas then the freedom fighter quota can be given, said GM Kader.
He also put emphasis on searching for talents first.
鈥榃e need talent first. The country must move forward. If merit is not given priority first, then on what basis will we compete,鈥� he added.
Quader also spoke about the movement of university teachers over the universal pension scheme.
He said that such a situation was created due to a lack of trust in the government.
He said that people鈥檚 lack of confidence was there whether the government would be able to deliver what it was promising to give people ultimately.
鈥業t is a lack of confidence. It is not good for us, or for anyone in the government,鈥� he added.
