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‘A huge triumph for our students’

Cultural personalities discuss Supreme Court verdict
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT DESK
Much to the triumph of quota-reform activists, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court yesterday overturned the High Court verdict that reinstated the quota system in government jobs. As many had lost their lives in violent clashes that upended the entire nation, cultural personalities welcomed the verdict that looks to re-establish peace across the country. The Daily Star reached out to some of the seniormost cultural figures in Bangladesh yesterday.
Sohel Rana
This is a historic verdict, and a huge triumph for the students. I feel like this is a big win for them, as they have gotten what they had wanted since the beginning of this movement. I did think that they would keep the freedom fighter quota at 10 percent, but 5 percent is not entirely illogical. I also welcome the fact that they did not keep quota for women, since I feel that women today are no less than men in talent and capability. I hope that the government also pays attention to their 8-point demand, as I wholeheartedly support the petition to compensate the victims’ families and provide a government job to at least one in their immediate family. For now, I urge the students to go back to class.
Ramendu Majumdar
I am happy with this verdict – I believe that now, talent will take centre-stage at determining who gets more opportunities. I feel like at this point, the students should postpone their movement, and discuss their further concerns with the government bilaterally. I am very disturbed by how many lives were lost due to these violent clashes, who will take the blame for this? I urge the government to investigate the matter and sentence those responsible. Although I support this verdict, I do feel like omitting the quota for women is a misstep.
Nasir Uddin Yousuff
I accept this verdict wholeheartedly, as it means that all the lives lost due to these violent clashes are not for nothing. However, I am very disappointed that the quota for women was omitted. Those who chanted slogans on the roads yesterday (July 21) that there is no need for female quotas, are blissfully unaware of the scenario in rural areas. Women need to be given an opportunity to prosper, as they have to regularly fight against sexist biases – at least 5 percent quotas should have been reserved for them.
Raisul Islam Asad
It must be noted that the children of freedom fighters were highly deprived from proper educational facilities after our liberation war. We also know that after the assassination of Bangabandhu till ’96, a certain group tried to erase the actual history of our liberation war, so children of freedom fighters suffered a lot. This is why I believe that the heirs of freedom fighters should receive some form of quota, which the verdict did keep – so I welcome it. I do have a question – why did these students, along with their other demands, not ask for the punishment of whomever caused the destruction of national property? I must say that the ones who participated in destructive activities are enemies of the country.
Abul Hayat
Logical demands have won, and I am sure that along with me, the entire country supports this verdict. Also, freedom fighters were in no way disrespected, as they will still have 5 percent reserved for their families. I wish that the students’ demands were fulfilled much earlier, we could have avoided so much unnecessary bloodshed!