Awami League General Secretary and Minister of Road Transport and Bridges, Obaidul Quader, has condemned the quota reform protesters for holding public life hostage and demonstrating force against the Supreme Court instead of following legal procedures.
"We had urged students on Wednesday to show patience and respect the Supreme Court. We advised them to avoid protests to prevent public suffering. However, it is observed that despite clear instructions from the court, the so-called 'Bangla Blockade' is being used to disrupt people's lives without showing any respect for the court's directives," said Quader, terming their action as undesirable and completely illegal.
He made the remarks at a press conference held at the Awami League President's political office in Dhanmondi on Thursday (11 July).
Quader said some political parties are provoking the protests for their own political gains. "Parties like the BNP have openly expressed support for the quota reform movement, turning it into a political agenda. They are attempting to trap the protesting students into a new movement, overshadowing their past failures, and trying to convert the anti-quota movement into an anti-government one."
He said, "It is surprising to hear Mirza Fakhrul publicly claim that there is no need for a quota for freedom fighters. This shows a lack of respect for the Liberation War, revealing their historical opposition to it."
Highlighting the importance of the Supreme Court, Quader said, "The Supreme Court is the guardian of our sacred constitution, which is the highest law of the land. When the highest court is continuing the final judicial process by listening to all parties involved, obstructing public movement in the name of protest is illegal."
Quader also noted that the actions of some protesters on social media and in the press have been inappropriate, causing adverse reactions among various segments of society.
