Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said the government will provide the information about those who were engaged in vandalism in the Shahbagh demanding the scrapping of quota system in the PSC so that these rowdy elements could not get government job in future.“We’ve the pictures, we’ll place them before the PSC before the viva-voce examinations so that these notorious elements can not get government job,” she said in her introductory speech at the Awami League Central Working Committee (ALCWC) meeting at her official residence Ganobhaban.
Hasina said there are some allegations about the quota system of the government job and this system is running for a long time.
Questioning about the merit of the students who demonstrated against the quota system, she wondered how any meritorious student could engage in such vandalism.
Recently, a group of students staged demonstration and vandalized vehicles and various structures demanding the scrapping of the quota reserved for the freedom fighters and their dependents.
Coming down heavily on such elements, the Prime Minister said: “How do they dare demand scrapping of the freedom fighters’ and their dependents’ quota when the great freedom fighters gave them an independent country.”
She added: “The freedom fights were behind the independent Bangladesh, without their sacrifice we would not have this country. It is the freedom fighters for whose sacrifices we are getting chance to get job under the public service commission.”
Hasina said the contribution of the freedom fighters are now being undermined by some vested quarters. This should stop.
“If the freedom fighters had not fought against the Pakistani occupation forces risking their lives, there will be no independent Bangladesh and there will be no public service commission.”
Recalling the little chance of the Bangalees in getting the government jobs during the Pakistan period, she said: “How many Bangalees got the chance for government job under the Pakistan regime? If anyone unduly praised the Pakistani seniors then he or she could get some promotions. Not more than two percent people of the country got chance for government jobs during the Pakistan regime.”
The PM mentioned that no Bangalee could get promotion up to secretary level. They were kept at the bottom level of the service. In the army, they could hardly get promotion up to major or colonel level, no promotion was allowed for them above these posts.
She said that what the people of the country are getting now is because of the freedom fighters. “All that we are enjoying now is the result of the supreme sacrifices of the freedom fighters.”
Hasina said some vested quarters are now trying to undermine the freedom fighters. “I can’t understand why these people are out there to undermine the freedom fighters.”
About the quota system in the BCS examinations, she said the meritorious students are getting highest quota, followed by freedom fighters, women, disabled and indigenous people.
“I don’t understand the reason behind the problems with the quota. How a meritorious student could come in the street and vandalize the vehicles. How a meritorious student could set fire. Are they eligible to get any government job after showing such attitude that suits only hooligans?”
The Prime Minister also said that these students do not deserve to get any government job as they are disqualified. Don’t they know this? Don’t they realize this?
She said: “These people wanted the Razakars, Al Badars and Al Shams to rule the country.
“I want to tell one thing clearly: the government gave the opportunity for the meritorious students, the government gave the scope for their higher studies. I want to say that the meritorious will get their chance and the others will have to get their chance also,” she added.
Hasina also questioned about the merits of those who vandalise vehicles and structures.
“I know many people will react sharply, but I must say that the meritorious students never do such kind of activities. Who were they? That’s the burning question,” she said. – UNB
