A Chamber Court has scheduled a hearing for Sunday (21 July) regarding the appeal against the High Court's ruling that declared the abolition of the quota system in first and second-class government jobs as illegal.
The full bench of the Appellate Division will hear the appeal on that day.
Justice M Inayetur Rahim's special Chamber Judge Court set the date for the hearing on Thursday (18 July).
Earlier in the day, Law Minister Anisul Huq said the government is willing to hold a discussion meeting with the protesting students today who are agitating for a reform in the quota system.
"We will hold a meeting with them. Whenever they agree to sit, we are willing to sit for a meeting even today," he said while talking to reporters at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhanan.
“The talks will take place whenever the protesting students want. Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel and I have been tasked with conducting the talks,” he added.
Anisul Huq also said a judicial investigation committee has been formed, headed by High Court Justice Khandaker Diliruzzaman, regarding the deaths of six people in various parts of the country during the students' movement on Tuesday (16 July).
The law minister also said the government will request the court to advance the Appellate Division hearing due on 7 August.
Meanwhile, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement has said they are open to dialogue with the government.
"The government has created the current situation by attacking peaceful protests. Students want to return to their study tables. Visible steps from the government can pave the way for a solution. Alongside our movement, the path for dialogue will remain open," read a statement published on Facebook early Wednesday (17 July) by one of the central coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, Hasnat Abdullah, on behalf of the central coordination team.
They also demanded that the Chhatra League members and police involved in the attacks be brought to justice, as well as the enactment of quota reform through legislation in the national parliament.
The statement also mentioned that the police, BGB, and Chhatra League have jointly attempted to suppress the movement through attacks on a logical and just demand for quota reform. Despite the spontaneous and peaceful nature of the students' movement, the government has not taken any visible steps. Initially, the government attempted to delay and evade responsibility by involving the judiciary with the students. Subsequently, under government directives, law enforcement and party thugs have violently tried to suppress the movement.
"So far, over a thousand students have been injured, and around seven have been martyred across the country," read the statement.
It stated, "All universities and educational institutions are being forcibly closed, and students are being expelled. The police have fired tear gas, grenades, and bullets in various campuses, including Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University, Rajshahi University, and Chittagong University. At Dhaka University, the police, RAB, BGB, and SWAT jointly attacked a coffin procession."
It condemned the vandalism and arson, stating that they were not involved in such activities.
The statement also mentioned that the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement will not take responsibility for any violence during the ongoing protests. "We request everyone not to divert our movement, as it is a movement for the heartfelt demands of the students."
The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement called on parents, teachers, and citizens from all walks of life to join the movement for the safety of the students. They also requested a complete shutdown, including offices and courts.
While roads and railways will be blocked, ambulances, emergency transportation, and media vehicles will be exempt from the shutdown. The statement urged cooperative behaviour with media personnel.
