Leaders of national minority communities on Sunday demanded the reinstatement of 5 per cent quota for national minorities in Class I and II government jobs.
At a press conference at Madhu鈥檚 Canteen at Dhaka University, they also demanded identifying more marginalised and backward groups among the national minority communities to ensure their benefit from the quota system.
Adivasi Quota Sanrakshan Parishad, a platform of national minority communities for preserving their own individual and group quota, organised the press conference, where the platform鈥檚 convener Alik Mree read a written statement.
He said that it was not the right time to abolish or reduce the quota for national minority communities as they had lack of access to quality education and other rights.
The demand was raised at a time when general students and job seekers under the banner of 鈥楽tudents Movement Against Discrimination鈥� were demanding reform of the quota system keeping only five per cent quota for the backward section of people including national minorities, freedom fighters鈥� children and physically challenged people.
The abolition or reduction of quota for national communities will create more inequality, added Alik, who is also the president of Bangladesh Adivasi Chhatra Sangram Parishad.
To establish rational and constitutional justice, he raised the three-point-demand to the government, which also included ensuring quality education, educational infrastructure and adequate teachers for them.
Referring to the Constitution of the People鈥屸�屸�嶁�檚 Republic of Bangladesh, ILO Convention 107 and Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord, Alik said that quota was a right for national minority communities.
The Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stated during the abolition of the quota system in 2018 that special arrangements would be made for backward communities. However, there was no reflection of the promise in recent years, mentioned Alik.
Nipan Tripura, president of CHT Hill Students鈥� Council, said that they demand reinstatement of 5 per cent quota in government jobs which was given to national communities in 1988.
The leaders announced a rally and procession at the Anti-Terrorism Raju Memorial Sculpture to press home their demands on Tuesday.
Attendees at the conference included Adivasi Quota Sanrakshan Parishad member Satej Chakma, Bangladesh Indigenous Youth Forum president Antony Rema; Tripura Students Forum, Dhaka unit president Priya Jyati Tripura; Bangladesh Marma Students鈥� Council, Dhaka unit president Chinsatui Marma and Bangladesh Adivasi Chhatra Sangram Parishad general secretary Choyng Young Mro, alongside others.