Law Minister asks quota protesters to plead case before SC

Law Minister Anisul Huq

Law Minister Anisul Huq today said the government cannot make a decision about the quota system in the government jobs, as the matter is now pending before the Supreme Court.

However, he said the students, who are in movement against the quota system can place their arguments through lawyers before the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court.

“When the High Court was holding the hearing of the case filed for keeping the quota system, those who are carrying out agitation against the quota system had no lawyer to represent them. They did not present their arguments before the High Court.”

“Now the case is before the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court. They can now place arguments before the Appellate Division through lawyers. The Appellate Division will give a fair verdict after hearing their arguments,” he told the media.

Meanwhile, Attorney General (AG) AM Amin Uddin on Monday said that students protesting the quota system in public service recruitment should be patient and avoid public demonstrations while the Supreme Court discusses the matter.

A hearing on a government appeal seeking cancellation of the quota system is pending with the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, and the government would have a chance to file a leave to appeal plea on Thursday, the chief government law official said at his office at Supreme Court.

If the full text of a 4 July Appellate Division order is published earlier, the government will file the leave to appeal plea on Wednesday, the Attorney General said, apparently attempting to urge the students that the government is on their side for the time being.

The Attorney General said an issue that is undergoing legal proceedings at the court should not be used for street demonstrations. - Special Correspondent