The BNP has extended support to the ongoing movement of students and jobseekers for quota reform in public service. The issue involves the livelihood of about four crore people of the country. The BNP policymaking body is concerned about the matter, BNP secretary general, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, said at a press conference at the party central office yesterday (Monday). He said if the BNP returns to power, it would cancel the quota system, except those for women, freedom fighters’ children and ethnic minorities.

Mirza Alamgir said the BNP has mentioned the quota issue in its "Vision 2030" announced last year, as the party believes that there is no alternative to talented people to build the nation.

He strongly condemned the police attack on agitated students and jobseekers on Sunday, and demanded unconditional release of demonstrators arrested and wished early recovery of those injured in the police attack.

“We strongly condemn and protest the barbaric and unprovoked attack by the police and armed Chhatra League cadres on students and jobseekers demonstrating to realise their justified demand,” he said. The BNP leader said the students and jobseekers are carrying out the movement for realising their "logical demand".

He alleged that the police carried out the attack on peaceful demonstrations without any provocation only to suppress the movement of hundreds of students and jobseekers.