TDS Desk:

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq on Tuesday said a question has come up regarding whether or not to keep the quota that it is a matter of the government, not a matter of the court. We will wait till the court verdict. We will respect and implement the apex court.

“No matter how much movement there is, we will not bypass the apex court and we will not do anything,” he mentioned.

The Law Minister said these in the speech of the chief guest at an event organized at the National Press Club on Tuesday (July 16) afternoon.

Bangladesh Progressive Columnists Forum organized the seminar titled ‘Injustice in Bangladesh: Illegal Law Indemnity and Imprisoned Public Leader’.

“We think that the matter (quota reform) has gone to court and it is still pending. What can the Government do at such a moment? Yes, we can wait to know what advice or verdict comes from the court. That is what we are doing now,” said Law Minister Anisul Huq.

“I think one thing should be clarified. That is – Public Leader Sheikh Hasina’s Government must listen to the logic. Sheikh Hasina’s government must do what is good for the people. But remember that Public Leader Sheikh Hasina’s Government will not deviate from the ideal. What is that ideal? Father of the Nation of Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh’s Liberation War, and heroic Freedom Fighter. No one can destroy the spirit of the Liberation War. No one can disrespect the brave freedom fighters,” he said.

Stating that the protesters are exaggerating, the minister said that the quota got canceled. The children of our freedom fighters went to court about that. After a long hearing, the High Court gave a verdict. An appeal was filed against that verdict. The protest started in the meantime. The court then asked the students to focus on their own work, i.e., studies. At the same time, the court assured.

“In that assurance — it is said that the spontaneous protesting students can present their statement in the court. The court will take their statements into consideration while disposing of the original petition. Even after the Apex Court gave them this assurance, is there any need to move? Later, the slogan that was uproared was not even necessary.

The seminar was presided over by the former Vice-Chancellor of Jagannath University Prof Dr. Mizanur Rahman. Special guests were Member of Parliament (MP) Tarana Halim, and member of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Dr. Biswajit Chanda.

The main article was presented by Prof. Dr. Milton Biswas, general secretary of the Progressive Columnist Forum.

In the seminar also spoke – National University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Moshiur Rahman, former vice-chancellor of Islami University Dr. Rashid Askari, Assistant Private Secretary to the President and columnist Haider Mohammad Jitu and others.