2024-07-07 13:34:33
Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina questioned the rationale of the ongoing anti-quota movement.
He said, protesting against the judgment of the High Court in this way, it is under trial. We cannot talk about this from the government. If the High Court decides, it should come from there. But I don’t think there is any justification for wasting study-time in the name of movement.
The prime minister said these words while exchanging greetings with the leaders and activists of Awami League’s affiliate Jubo Mahila League at Ganabhaban on Sunday (July 7). Last July 6 was the 22nd anniversary of Jubo Mahila League. On this occasion, the leaders of the organization met with the Awami League president.
Regarding the anti-quota movement, the Prime Minister said that the quota for our freedom fighters should be cancelled, the quota for women should be cancelled. But it was canceled once. But the result is that according to the Public Service Commission, girls have not got the same amount of opportunities in the last few years where they had quota before the examination. This is the reality.
Even the people of many districts and remote areas have remained deprived. They are also not getting jobs.’
Read: Anti-quota movement: ‘Bangla Blockade’ by students in the afternoon
Pointing out that the case was filed due to deprivation, he said, the High Court gave a verdict. We do not always follow the judgment of the High Court. We have seen that an attempt is being made to build an anti-quota movement. Boys and girls are doing anti-quota movement without studying about it, girls are also doing it.
“My question here is that those who did the anti-quota movement before, how many of them took the exam under the Public Service Commission, how many passed, need to be calculated. Let them first prove whether they passed the dhaka exam more, girls got more jobs by passing more.’
The Chief Minister said that this kind of agitation against the High Court’s judgment is under trial. We cannot talk about this from the government. If the High Court decides, it should come from there. But I don’t think there is any justification for wasting study-time in the name of movement.
Highlighting the universal pension scheme for all, the Prime Minister said, it was in our election manifesto (2008 elections). Only government employees get pension, rest are deprived. Universal pension is arranged at different levels so that no one is deprived.
Addressing the leaders and activists of Jubo Mahila League, Awami League President said that every leader and activist of Yubo Mahila League can join the universal pension scheme for their future. When people become old, unable to work, there is a guaranteed income opportunity. There is an opportunity to make a living. I have given special incentives for those who are at the lowest level. Those who can do nothing, earn very little money. If they keep 500 rupees, then by giving another 500 rupees from the government, they should also get a good pension and get it for life.
Addressing the party leaders and workers, he said, I think those who are involved in our politics should enter the universal pension scheme. Then at least there will be a certainty of life. No one has to wait in old age. The son will not be burdened, the daughter will not be burdened, she will be able to eat by herself, making that arrangement.
Mentioning that women are half of the society, the Prime Minister said, if they are left behind, the society can never stand up, the country cannot progress. Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman used to say this. He made girls’ education free, gave separate quota of seats for girls in Parliament. He arranged a separate 10 percent quota for women and girls who had been oppressed (in the liberation war) in the field of employment, so that women could take their proper place. If women can be economically self-sufficient and if their talents are given the opportunity to develop in the field of employment, the country will develop.
He said, “When I came for the first time, I made 60 percent quota for girls in the workplace, primary education recruitment.” All the jobs here will get girls first. We are taking steps to make girls self-reliant.
Sheikh Hasina said about the creation of Jubo Mahila League website, the organization will have a database in all places. We want the journey started by Jubo Mahila League to be successful for the proper use of Digital Bangladesh.
Jubo Mahila League president Aleya Sarwar Daisy, general secretary Sharmin Sultana Lilly along with leaders and activists of the central, Dhaka metropolitan north and south were present.