The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expressed its moral backing for the ongoing student protests against the quota system in government jobs and the university teachers' and officials' opposition to the universal pension scheme.

The BNP considers both movements as justified and rational.

At a press conference held this afternoon at the BNP Chairperson's political office in Gulshan, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the party’s position.

He disclosed that following an emergency meeting of the BNP's standing committee on Thursday night, the decision was made to extend moral support to these significant movements.

When asked about the BNP's role in the anti-quota student protests, Mirza Fakhrul responded, "BNP is a political party. We must respond to national developments.

This is primarily a student-led movement, and direct involvement from BNP isn't necessary. However, does this mean we should not morally support a movement that is just?"

Fakhrul contended that while quotas for legitimate freedom fighters, women, and the physically disabled in government jobs could be justified, they should be capped at 5 to 10 percent, rather than the current 56 percent.

"The quota system in any category—whether first, second, third, or fourth—does not promote meritocracy," Fakhrul asserted.

He accused the current government, which he described as illegal, unelected, and authoritarian, of exploiting the judiciary to suppress valid public demands. He characterized this as an age-old and reprehensible tactic of using courts against the rights of the people.

"We support the fair and reasonable demands of the broader student community for quota reform," Fakhrul emphasized.

"We believe that any attempt to stifle the logical demands of students through judicial means will fail because history shows that just movements of the people cannot be quashed."

Fakhrul also addressed the BNP's endorsement of university teachers' protest against the withdrawal of the pension scheme. He acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue, stating, "You cannot strip away benefits that were previously guaranteed.

Teachers do not have alternative income sources. While others may have avenues for corruption or theft, teachers rely solely on their salaries."

During the press conference, Fakhrul urged the immediate repeal of the pension scheme, labeling it as another opportunity for corrupt actions by an economically crippled government.

He argued that the government's attempt to tap into pension funds from teachers and other sectors is unjust, given the country's dire economic circumstances.

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