Abul Kashem Fazlul Haque, Supernumerary Professor of Bangla, Dhaka University:
The quota reform activists should be released from jail after withdrawing the case filed against them. The government should bear the cost of their treatment who sustained injuries during the movement to reform the existing quota system in public service recruitments.
The government should take the initiative proactively to let the quota reformists off the hook to ensure justice. Instead of lending a helping hand to the quota reformists, the Dhaka University authorities are explicitly shirking their responsibilities. This is because the government is now calling the shots. The government is punishing the quota reform activists. On the other hand, the Dhaka University authorities are also functioning as part of the government. Therefore, the university authorities are not raising the demand to release them from jail.
The meritorious students of Dhaka University are facing an uncertain future. They are languishing in jail and it will have a great impact on their future life. If the university authorities had any well intention, then they would hold talks with the government for an amicable solution. Instead of doing it, the university authorities are pushing the students to an uncertainty. This will bring no good for the government and the university authorities alike.
Based on an interview by Mahbubul Islam, translated by Hossen Sohel