The High Court has declared the circular that abolished the freedom fighter quota in first and second class government jobs invalid, effectively maintaining the 30% quota for freedom fighters in these positions.
On Wednesday, June 5, the High Court bench comprising Justice KM Kamrul Kader and Justice Khizir Hayat issued this verdict, confirming the final ruling on the related writ petition. Deputy Attorney General Sheikh Mohammad Saifuzzaman Zaman confirmed the development.
Senior lawyer Md. Monsurul Hoque Chowdhury represented the writ petitioners in court, accompanied by Advocate Shafiqul Islam. The state was represented by Deputy Attorney General Sheikh Mohammad Saifuzzaman Zaman.
The quota system in government jobs has been in place for a long time. On November 5, 1972, an executive order introduced a 30% quota for freedom fighters and a 10% quota for women affected by the Liberation War in government, semi-government, defense, and nationalized institutions based on district and population.
For first and second class government jobs, a quota system was established with 30% reserved for the children and grandchildren of freedom fighters, 1% for the disabled, 10% for women, 10% for underdeveloped districts, and 5% for ethnic minorities, totaling 56%.
Amid student protests against the quota system, the cabinet decided on October 3, 2018, to abolish the 56% quota in first and second class government jobs. However, the quota system was retained for third and fourth class positions.
