Despite welcoming the court's recent decision, student protesters have vowed to continue their demonstrations and blockades demanding quota reforms in government services.

The protesters announced their determination to stay on the streets until their demands are met, initiating a nationwide blockade starting at 3:30 PM on Wednesday.

The protesters emphasized that their movement is independent of the Appellate Division's status quo order regarding the quota system issued by the High Court on Wednesday.

Their primary demand is for the government to abolish all quotas in government jobs, maintaining only a 5% quota for disadvantaged communities.

Nahid Islam, coordinator of the Bangla Blockade, stated, "Our demand is directed at the executive branch, not the judiciary. While we acknowledge the Appellate Division’s action on the High Court order, we believe the judiciary cannot resolve this issue. We call on the executive branch to amend the constitution and pass a bill to create a new quota system. This is the only solution."

Hasnat Abdullah, another coordinator, said the movement will persist until the government establishes a commission to reform the quota system.

"We appreciate the Supreme Court's decision. However, our protest is not against the abolition of the quota," he clarified, urging parliament to legislate a 5% quota for underprivileged groups. The movement will continue until their demands are met.

Meanwhile, Attorney General AM Amin Uddin announced that no quotas in cadre services will be enforced for four weeks following the Appellate Division's order. The government must recruit servants according to the 2018 notification that abolished the quota system. The court also encouraged the protesting students to return to their classes and seek legal recourse while the quota case is pending in the Appellate Division.

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader urged students to end their protests and return to classes, stating that the quota reform issue will be resolved through a final Supreme Court hearing in early August.

Appellate Division's Status Quo Order

Habibur Rahman, an advocate at the Dhaka Bar Association, explained that the Appellate Division's status quo order means the 2018 government notification on quotas remains effective for the next month. If the government wishes, it can issue a new circular without violating the High Court verdict.

Public Suffering Due to Blockades

For the third consecutive day, the students' Bangla Blockade program has caused significant disruption to transportation and daily life in Dhaka. Key railway lines and major roads like Panthapath, Green Road, Sonargaon Road, and Tejgaon were blocked, leading to severe traffic jams and public inconvenience.

On June 5, the High Court ordered the restoration of a 30% quota for the children and grandchildren of freedom fighters in cadre services recruitment. On October 4, 2018, the government abolished all quotas, including those for descendants of freedom fighters, women, people from underdeveloped districts, ethnic communities, and physically challenged individuals, after student protests.