By GM Qader, Leader of the Opposition in Bangladesh Parliament
The Supreme Court’s decisions and observations on quotas have sown seeds of discrimination, which the government has eagerly embraced. This latent discrimination has the potential to flourish and poison our society like a venomous tree.
The students who protested against quota discrimination did not emerge victorious. Despite their efforts, the government retains the power to manipulate the quota system at will, increasing or decreasing it as they see fit. Thus, the seed of discrimination remains deeply embedded within our system.
This situation also constitutes a violation of our constitution. Article 29 clearly stipulates that there shall be no discrimination and that everyone must be given equal opportunities. While certain segments of society that are lagging behind should be supported, the government is overstepping its bounds by perpetuating and manipulating discriminatory practices.
The anti-quota movement was a direct consequence of the government’s actions. This issue was entirely manufactured by the government, driven by their insistence on imposing their will against the desires of the student body. In their stubbornness, they resorted to extreme measures, resulting in the deaths of many individuals. Now that they claim to have solved the problem, can this truly be considered an end? Because of the government’s decisions, its arrogance, and its forced impositions, countless lives were tragically lost. The government should take responsibility for the empty arms of mothers and the families left shattered.
The government’s disregard for the value of human sacrifice is appalling. To date, no measures have been taken to reassure or console the public. The government should have expressed remorse and taken responsibility for its actions, yet it has done nothing of the sort. Offering financial compensation cannot replace the lost lives. A mother who has lost her child will never find solace in money; the void left by her child’s absence is irreplaceable.
The government’s response lacks the sincerity and compassion that the situation demands. Instead, they persist in advancing their previous agendas through various means. This arrogant stance disregards the pain and suffering endured by the people. It is time for the government to acknowledge its failures, show genuine empathy, and take meaningful steps toward rectifying the injustices inflicted upon the citizens of Bangladesh. The cost of their arrogance has been far too high, and it is the people who have paid the ultimate price.
