Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued a stern warning to students protesting for quota reform, stating that while peaceful demonstrations will be tolerated, any attempt to create disorder will be met with legal action.

"They are protesting on the streets, and we are allowing it. As long as they remain peaceful, no one will say anything. But if they do anything beyond that, such as attacking the police or breaking police vehicles, then the law will take its own course,” said Sheikh Hasina on Sunday during a press conference at Ganabhaban.

The Prime Minister's comments came amid ongoing demonstrations demanding changes to the government's quota system in public sector jobs.

The protesters argue that the current system, which reserves a significant portion of jobs for certain groups, is unfair to merit-based candidates.

Addressing the issue, Sheikh Hasina also questioned the anger directed at freedom fighters and their descendants by the quota reform protesters.

"Why is there so much anger against the freedom fighters? If their grandchildren don't get the benefits, should the grandchildren of the Razakars (collaborators) get them? I am asking this to my countrymen. What is their fault?" she asked.

Sheikh Hasina emphasized that the government is bound by court decisions on the quota system.

"The government cannot do anything about the quota in government jobs until the court resolves the issue. No one is saying anything about peaceful protests against the quota. But she warned that if there is any destructive activity, the law will take its own course," she added.

When pressed about the protesters seeking her intervention, the Prime Minister responded, "When the court has spoken and given a verdict, I have no right to stand against it. Until the court provides a solution, we have nothing to do. This is the reality, and they have to accept it. If they don't accept it, there is nothing we can do."

Sheikh Hasina urged the protesters to take their grievances to court. "The court has given them an opportunity. They should go to the court and speak," she said.

Reflecting on the previous phase of protests in 2018, which led to the abolition of quotas from the 9th to 13th grades, the Prime Minister noted the consequences of such actions.

"What happens when quotas are removed? Only two women got a chance in the Foreign Service, and four women in the Police Service," she remarked.

She further criticized those who opposed the women's quota, questioning whether they secured jobs based on merit.

"At that time, they said they didn't want a women's quota. Did they get jobs based on merit? Did they pass the BCS exam? Did they secure a position in the preliminary exams? If they hadn't made such grand statements, they would have gotten jobs somewhere," she said.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the disparities in development across different regions of Bangladesh, emphasizing the need for affirmative action to support underprivileged communities.

"Not all areas of Bangladesh are equally developed. There are underprivileged communities. Will the people from those areas not have any rights?" she questioned.

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