Analysis of the the Anti-quota movement: Shahbag is finally for the people

On Wednesday, the 10th of July, hundreds of Bangladesh Civil Service examinees began protests demanding an immediate cancellation of all sorts of quota in public service recruitment. Several hundred job-seekers who did not pass the 34th BCS preliminary exam had gathered in the Shahbagh crossing, blocking the roads passing through, till 10:00pm for more than 10 hours demanding the re-evaluation of answer scripts claiming that they had not been selected even after doing good in the exam and the cancellation of the quota system. Examinees of the 34th batch BCS exams continued with their protests throughout the day. The Bangladesh Public Service Commission later in the evening said that it would review the preliminary test results.

A side view of anti-quota protests at Shahbag 

The backdrop:

The Public Service Commission on Tuesday published the preliminary results in which a total of 12,033 of 2.21 lakh candidates came out successful. The examination was held on May 24 to fill in 2,052 positions in different cadres.

A commission official said that about 6,500 quota beneficiaries were selected for the written exams. The results shows that 5.43 per cent of the candidates taking the 34th BCS exams came out successful while in the 33rd BCS preliminary tests, the rate was 14.98 and in the 32nd, the rate was 44.

Demonstrators contend they have failed to make the grade despite obtaining high marks because of the quota system which has allowed many with much less marks to pass the test. On previous occasions, the final results of the BCS were published based on the quota system but this time the preliminary test results were themselves announced based on quotas.

One protester, Mahbub Rahman, told bdnews24.com: “In this (34th) BCS exams ordinary candidates could not come out successful despite securing 78-79 marks whereas candidates under quotas got chance with only 60-61 marks.”

Many children of freedom fighters, who enjoy a big quota, also joined the protest as they believe things have stretched a bit too far.

Dhaka University student Shahedul Islam, whose father was a freedom fighter, said: “Quota should be within the tolerable limit. It (quota) has reached such level that the nation will be meritless.”

Under the current BCS examinations system, 30 per cent of the seats are reserved for children of freedom fighters and 10 per cent for women. A further 10 per cent is reserved for districts, 5 per cent for national minorities and 1 per cent for people with disabilities. The total quota system constitutes a grand 56 percent. This means that the quota remaining for merit is just 44 percent. In numbers that would be just 902 positions in the total quota of 2052 positions.

The demands:

The protesters called for re-evaluation of results of the 34th BCS preliminary examination.  They said that the existing quota system was ‘unconstitutional’ and all appointments should be made based on merit. They claimed that candidates under the quotas were evaluated in a manner more lenient than general candidates. Some said that they had had their answers correct for more than 80 marks but failed to qualify.

In simple terms, they called for cancellation of quota system in all public examinations and called for recruitment based on individual merit.

Protesters formed a 10-member ‘Medhamullayon Mancha’ and said Abdur Rahim would act as convener of the mancha. Rahim is student of Islamic history of Dhaka University who is currently pursuing his post-graduation degree. Explaining his stand, Rahim said, “The quota system promotes discriminatory treatment in evaluating merit for government jobs. Many meritorious students could not manage a government jobs for such discrimination.”

“We’re not against freedom fighters or the country’s liberation war. It is, however, crystal clear that we need meritorious people to run the country. That’s why we are only asking for cancellation of quota system in all public examinations,” protesters said.

Bdnews24 says that in the afternoon on the very same day, the Public Service Commission announced its decision to review the results through a media statement.

The statement, signed by Exam Controller AEM Nesar Uddin, said the commission decided to review the results in the backdrop of ‘misunderstanding among several examinees’. However, sources reiterated that the government has made no decision to reform the quota system in the public service.

Paying the price of standing up to injustice:

On Thursday, the 11th of July, the protests spread nationwide from Dhaka’s Shahbagh intersection when police tried to disperse a sit-in staged by the protesters at around 11:00am. The students, who gathered at Shahbagh intersection demanding cancellation of the quota system in recruitment to government jobs, were forced to leave the place as police charged baton and lobbed teargas shells on them. In a short time, the clashes spread throughout the Dhaka University campus area. The situation worsened when activists of Bangladesh Chatra League, the ruling party student wing, came to the aid of police. Equipped with lethal weapons, they joined police and attacked the agitating students, leaving 20 injured.

Chatra League thugs beat a anti-quota activist 

Chatraleague thugs beat anti-quota activist 

The protesting students retaliated by pelting the law enforcers with brickbats and later, retreated to the Dhaka University campus and vandalised five vehicles, including one of private TV channel ATN Bangla and two private cars, near the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC).

News sources cited that police detained 12 students in this connection and reportedly took them to Shahbagh Police Station while more than 55 students were injured.

Meanwhile, DU Proctor Amzad Ali flanked by BCL men went to the spot when he said the aim of the movement is not to press for demand for cancellation of the quota system but to create anarchy in the country. It is mentionable that according to a bdnews24 report this is the same Amzad Ali who had gone to Shahbagh the previous day on hearing news of the protest and expressed solidarity with the agitators. He had said: “Someone will fail after getting 80 marks and someone will pass with 50 marks – this discrimination cannot be allowed to continue.” He had said some over-enthusiastic people at PSC prepared the preliminary exam results to invite troubles for the government. The hypocrite.

What originated in Dhaka soon spread to other parts of the country as students of Jahangirnagar University, Shahjalal University of Science & Technology, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) at Mymensingh and Rajshahi University decided to express solidarity with Dhaka-based protesters. Students of public universities outside Dhaka took to the streets and formed human chains. They also chanted slogans, blocked highways and held placards and festoons to press home their demands.

General students at Jahangirnagar University in support of anti-quota movement

The students, amid all this adversity, promised that they would protest again on Friday.

A sunglass toting media:

All major media covered the protests. On the first day, many media were seen focusing on the blockade as one staged by ‘angry’ students and protesters, opting to focus more on the sufferings caused by the protesters to the general people. The Daily Star published a full report detailing the effects the demo had on public life, with its report, “One demo brings city to a halt”.  Television media also gave coverage to the protests on their news. The second day was different as media got scent of that thing they love to cover most, violence. However, one thing vividly stood out. Although the demonstrations were held at Shahbagh, media which had previously glorified Shahbagh and invested countless hours in Shahbag-related airtime were strangely terse and objective in reporting the protests. The underlying corporate and political strings attached to the freedom of coverage and expression of emotion were glaring for anyone willing to notice. As a result, few dared analyze the demands of the aggreived students and examinees.

Analysing the demands of the aggrieved:

Some things are above debate. One of them is the welfare of the general populace. We need to remind ourselves that the protesters are our sons and daughters. Look beyond the surface and you shall be startled to discover that they may be the brightest minds this nation has produced.

Thirty percent of the quota is allocated for freedom fighters. The quota system of the BCS examinations were once an honourable process by which the country showed respect to the freedom fighters, the greatest sons of this country. However, reality over the past few years has shown that the need to provide such a quota has become obsolete, precisely because of the following:

1. A generation of freedom fighters and their direct descendants have already availed this opportunity.

2. The government has struggled over the past few years to fill up the freedom fighter’s quota due to unavailability of  suitable candidates. As a result, many positions in this quota usually remain unfilled.

3. The lack of suitable candidates in the various quotas mean that many quotas are filled by relatively less eligible candidates. This may look to be a simple matter, but the fact is that a country is bound to suffer for this method of selection.

4. Bangladesh is one of the most corrupt countries of the world. I believe there is no need to give any reference on this information. Corruption gets a chance to raise its head when the competition is severe and candidates desperately seek the competitive edge. Compare the fact that only 44 percent of the examinees get through with merit and its a no-brainer as to why corruption is so rampant in getting government jobs in Bangladesh.

5. The quota ‘business’ is one of the most lucrative businesses of political stalwarts in Bangladesh. Perhaps that will give you an answer as to why the ruling party student front BCL attacked the anti-quota protesters.

In short, there is no alternative to the abolishment of the quota system in order to build a deserving Bangladesh that will truly stand for Bangladeshis.

Let us finish by looking at another facet of the protests, the oppression. There should have been no question of violence in the equation. But the government has acted as if the students have become enemies of the state overnight by demanding reform. A few lines of a news report affected me much. RTNN, in a report began with the observation of an unknown protester, "Gonojagoron Manch has demonstrated here at Shahbag month after month, but the law enforcers did not make any bar to their sit-in, rather, extended all sorts of support. We demonstrate over here for civic, right and just cause, but we are being responded by police shooting. What type of democracy is it?" The comment stands to explain the situation so well, that it almost hurts that everybody does not see it this way.

I condemn the authorities for the highly deplorable actions they have carried out. The demands of the ‘Medhamullayon Mancha’ are demands of a generation that would like their representatives put aside their lofty ideals away for the time being and carry out action that would truly be a service to the nation. In this respect, there is no alternative to working with the aggrieved. After all, a generation is behind them in heart and spirit. 

Cases against Limon withdrawn: The dirty political drama Behind

Photo Courtesy: New Age

After two years, the government finally decided Tuesday to withdraw the two cases filed by Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) personnel against maimed college student Limon Hossain who hails from Jamaddarhat at Rajapur in Jhalakati. He was shot at by RAB personnel at a place near his house on March 23, 2011, triggering local and international outcry.

The battalion on the day filed the two cases with the Rajapur police implicating Limon in an arms case and accusing him of obstructing police duties. The police submitted the charge sheet against him in the arms case on April 24, 2011. The charge sheet in the second case was submitted on July 1, 2011.

Making a passion-less announcement:

“The government has decided to withdraw the cases so that the boy could lead a normal life,” said Home Minister Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir while talking to journalists.

Asked whether the ministry was considering taking action against the RAB personnel responsible for maiming the college student by shooting, he said, “I don’t think it’s necessary considering the situation when Limon was arrested.”

‘Shocking’ and ‘irresponsible’ were the two words that came into my mind when I heard the above. 

‘Shocking’ , because the honourable minister considered it a show of sympathy to grant Limon ‘freedom’ from cases filed by the all-powerful state. Forget any sense of taking responsibility, the minister did not show the slightest ounce of discomfort or emotion while giving the statement. ‘Irresponsible’, because he just made a nation view him with greater revulsion for dismissing any suggestion of taking action against the thugs in uniform who were responsible for maiming 16 year old Limon. Why? Because the minister didn’t think it was necessary. I simply ask, which tenet of the constitution of Bangladesh was the pathetic excuse for a minister referring to? Does the law in Bangladesh allow for the law being above itself, just because it is the law? I sincerely hope not.

The related drama:

Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir, while briefing journalists, made it known that the recommendation made by National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairman Mizanur Rahman was taken into consideration in taking the decision.

The NHRC Chairman is generally known for the following:   

1.      Defending the government every time another human rights report denouncing state oppression pops up.

2.      Remaining silent the rest of the time.

One such stand was on the 23^rd of June, 2013, when Dr. Mizanur, after getting reappointed by the government, requested Limon to withdraw the case that his mother had filed against law enforcers after he was shot at near his village home in Jhalakati in 2011. During the meeting, Mizanur told Limon and his family that he would approach the home minister again with a proposal to consider withdrawal of the cases the battalion had filed against him. Limon said the NHRC chief had also asked him what actually he wanted and said it would be impossible for him (Limon) to fight against the government. 

‘I replied that I want to be rehabilitated and demanded withdrawal of the false case filed against me,’ Limon said.

‘If they [RAB] withdraw their cases, you will also have to withdraw your case,’ Limon quoted NHRC chief as telling him.

News agencies subsequently reported that Mizan urged the government to ‘withdraw’ the case against Limon.

Despite glowingly acknowledging his role in recommending that Limon be freed, when asked whether the commission would help Limon in the legal fight against the battalion members, the chairman said that the commission had not directly helped anyone in legal proceedings but it would help in the rehabilitation of Limon. ‘The judiciary should deliver its responsibility here,’ he added. Truly a vague response.

Few are the words needed to describe the hypocrisy shown by the head of the NHRC in acting as a stooge working for the interests of the government. Human rights are definitely are not safe in the hands of such an entity.

How the law deprived Limon:

Limon's mother, Henoara Begum, filed a case on April 10, 2011, accusing six RAB personnel of attempting to murder, severely injuring and maiming her son. Police on August 14 of last year secretly filed a final report in the case claiming that they found no evidence and witnesses against RAB. Limon’s mother filed a “no confidence” (Naraji) plea against the final report. It was later rejected by the court.

Rights body Ain o Salish Kendra, several other organisations and human rights activists have long been assisting Limon in the legal process. There have been outcries and criticisms against the government and the RAB for falsely implicating the teenager, who used to work at a brick kiln to meet his educational expenses. 

Limon’s counsel Akkas Shikdar, however, found nothing special about the decision on the withdrawal of the cases. ‘We have been saying for long that the false cases have been filed to harass the minor boy and divert the actual incident of human rights violation. We will be happy only when the government will book all the six RAB personnel responsible for the crime and ensure justice to Limon,’ he said.

So what did Limon have to say? Mark them. His words rang with a true conviction borne out of being an unjust victim of more than 2 years of state oppression. ‘We will not withdraw the case filed against RAB personnel… It should be proved once and for all that no one is above law,’ 

Shahbag spearheads cheap politics with dead BCL cadre Dip

A third-year student of mechanical engineering and BUET unit Chhatra League convening committee member, Arif Raihan Dip, died at about 4:00am in Square Hospitals in the capital on the 3rd of July 2013. He had been unconscious since he had been stabbed him in his room at the Kabi Nazrul Islam Hall on April 9. He was sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital in a critical condition and was later was moved to Square Hospitals.

Arif Raihan Dip Source: Daily Star

The media spin:

This is how the media described Dip’s attack-

1. Newage says, “An unnamed man had stabbed him in his room at the Kabi Nazrul Islam Hall on April 9.”

2. Daily Star says, “An unidentified man dragged Dwip down the hall’s stairs and stabbed him indiscriminately on April 9.”

3. Bdnews, in a more dramatic tone, claims, “Finally the miscreants attacked Dip in his dormitory on Apr 9 and left him severely wounded in his head and back.”

4. In the most dramatic tone, mixing unverifiable witness accounts into the factual description, the Dhaka Tribune claims, “According to witnesses, four youths hacked Dwip in his room, located in the Kobi Nazrul Islam Hall, using sharp weapons at around 11am on April 9.”

All media were unanimous in planning the seed of doubt, when they quoted Chatra League leaders pinning the blame on usual suspects. The Dhaka Tribune deserves credit for being the most (mis)informative when it says, “Although the assailants could not be recognised, Arif’s friends said they suspect members of Islami Chhatra Shibir or Hefazat-e-Islam of being responsible.”

The motive:

New Age reports that Raihan is said to have been attacked as he along with some other students stopped an imam of a hall mosque providing Hefazat-e-Islam activists with food during their long march to Dhaka on April 5. The imam, Abdul Alim, was suspended immediately as the students informed the university’s student welfare director Delwar Hossain of the matter.

Bdnews starts playing around with the motive when it states, “ The assault followed hearsay that he along with some other students had barred an imam of one of the hall mosques from supplying food to Hifazat-e Islam activists during their long march to Dhaka on Apr 6. Later, the Imam, Abdul Alim was suspended.”

Other media did not care to report on the matter.

A past history of violence:

Although ‘progressive’ news media did not hesitate to identify Dip as being some sort of a hero, his documented past is not so rosy. This was the same Dip who was suspended for being involved in attacks on general students just about a year ago. As reported by bdnews, following a dispute on Dec 28 2011, between the senior and junior batches over entering a concert organised for the rag day of the outgoing batch, 2008 batch students Saifullah Sikder Mithun and Sujit Saha of the Material and Metallurgical Department and 2009 batch student Arif Raihan Dip of the Mechanical Engineering Department.  on Dec 31 2011, beat Tousif Ahmed Ishan, a final-year student of the Computer Science and Engineering Department with hockey sticks and iron rods in his room in the Kazi Nazrul Islam Hall, leaving him with severe injuries in his both hands and legs. BUET unit Chhatra League general secretary Tonmoy Ahmed had said though the three accused were his fellow party activists, his party was not involved in the attack. They would be expelled from the party, he had added.  BUET students organised protests on the campus to demand that authorities permanently expel the three students who are accused of beating Ishan.

Not only was Dip reinstated into the university within a short period of time, he was also reinstated into the Chatra League itself and was a Chhatra League convening committee member on the eve of his attack on the imam.

A victim?

The Detective Branch arrested fourth-year civil engineering student Md Mezbah Uddin on April 18 at the campus in this connection. The police said that Mezbah had confessed to attacking Raihan in the hall. Mezbah is reported to have told investigators that Raihan had beaten the BUET mosque imam for providing Hefazat activists with food on April 5. However, NO connections to Hefazat OR Bangladesh Islami Chatra shibir have been even remotely suggested by police or proved by anyone.

The supposed ‘confession’ of Mezbah is also subject to controversy in the current climate of fear stemming from a plethora of well documented police excesses in Bangladesh. Add to this the fact that the Lalbagh police seized a bag containing a machete, a pair of pajamas, a panjabi and a cap from the Kobi Nazrul Hall and you get the idea as to where we are all headed to.

Shahbag plays cheap politics:

Shahbagh protesters bring out a procession in Dhaka on Tuesday protesting at the death of BUET student Arif Raihan Dwip three months after he was hacked by a fellow. — New age photo

Dhaka Tribune and New Age reported that Shahbagh protesters, meanwhile, held protests in the Shahbagh crossing on Tuesday evening demanding an immediate arrest of the attackers, blaming Shibir and Hefazat activists for the attack. They were led by Convener of the Ganajagaran Mancha, Imran H Sarkar and coordinator Maruf Rasul. The protesters from the programme accused Hefazat-e-Islam of making the attack on Dwip that took his life. This of course seriously raises concerns as to whether Shahbag really has turned into a haven for anti-Islamic hatred and partisan politics (the Chatra League is and a driving force at Shahbag and it is the student.body of the ruling Awami League)

So the question remains, is the death of a well known miscreant going to be just another manufactured scenario to further fuel the Islamophobic narrative actively sponsored by the government of Bangladesh?