DHAKA, July 10, 2024 (BSS) – Awami League (AL) General Secretary Obaidul Quader today urged the agitating students to return to their classrooms, saying the apex court will give a ‘realistic decision’ over the quota system in government jobs.
 
He made the call at a press conference at the AL president's Dhanmondi political office here this afternoon.
 
“The decision of the court is final. I request the students to shun programmes that cause public suffering… and return to the classrooms,” he said.
 
He said: "The prime minister has accomplished all the programmes (in China). She was supposed to spend the night in Beijing but she will return home tonight instead of staying there”.
 
Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, said the Supreme Court will decide on quota system and it is known that the court will consider the demands of the students in the final hearing in August.
 
He said the court has asked the students to return to their classrooms and “we are also requesting them to return”.
 
"Let's observe whether they follow the court's order or not….we decided to make quota-free. We are not skipping our decision. The court's decision will be final. We hope it will give a realistic decision," the AL general secretary said.
 
He said the government is in touch with university teachers over the pension issue and it is monitoring the situation. “The problem will be resolved soon," he added.
 
About Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's return from China, Quader said: "Her daughter Saima Wazed is in the country and she is a bit ill. So she (premier) is returning home tonight."
 
AL organising secretaries BM Mozammel Haque, SM Kamal Hossain and Afzal Hossain, office secretary Biplab Barua, deputy office secretary Sayem Khan and central committee member Sahabuddin Farazi were, among others, present.