The ongoing quota reform movement has taken a new turn as protesting students held a press briefing on Saturday, emphasizing their demands and announcing future programs.

The students, who have been demonstrating for several days, claim that the police filed a misleading case against them and are calling for accountability. The activists will submit a memorandum to the president on Sunday demanding an emergency parliamentary session to pass laws for rational quota reforms in all grades of government jobs.

At the press briefing, Asif Mahmud, a coordinator of the movement, accused the police of provoking students by obstructing their activities. He referred to a recorded conversation with a Ramna Zone police officer, stating that the students did not damage the armoured vehicle as alleged.

"Misinformation is being spread by filing cases on false and fabricated allegations," Mahmud asserted.

Earlier, on July 11, the High Court released the main part of the verdict that declared the circular scrapping the quota system in government jobs illegal. It was stated that all quotas should be maintained along with the freedom fighter quota.

However, the government can change and increase the quota system in government jobs if it deems necessary. If the quota is not met, appointments can be made on the basis of merit.

Nahid Islam, another coordinator, criticized the government's handling of the issue.

"The government should have entered into discussions with the students from the beginning and arrived at a logical solution," Nahid Islam said.

"Efforts are being made to suppress the movement through the ruling party's student organization and the police, but we will not stop until our demands are met. Our student strike will continue indefinitely," he added.

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said that the government will not alter the quota system until the Appellate Division announces its verdict.

"As the quota issue is before the court, there is nothing to do about it. The law will take its own course," he added.

Regarding university teachers potentially ceasing their abstention from classes and other activities following a meeting with Quader, Sarjis Alam, another coordinator of the student movement, said at the press briefing: “The students did not sit in the classroom when the teachers stopped the classes and started the movement. The students have supported the reasonable demands of the teachers, but they are not behaving cooperatively with the students. The reason for the deterioration in relations between the students and teachers at present is the behaviour of the teachers. We should not see teachers sitting in class and pressuring us to return to class.”

However, Dr Nizamul Haque Bhuiyan, secretary general of the University Teachers Association Federation, said that their all-out work abstention program would continue. 

"We have made our demand and have been assured that it will be communicated to the prime minister. We will discuss our next steps, but for now  our work abstention continues," Bhuiyan confirmed.

The students have announced a mass rally to be held on Sunday, starting from Dhaka University Central Library at 11 am. They plan to submit a memorandum to the president. 

Participants will include students from Dhaka University, Jagannath University, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, seven colleges, and other educational institutions in Dhaka. Students in various districts will also submit memorandums to their respective Deputy Commissioners' offices.

On the other hand, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said regarding the anti-quota movement that if agitating students have something to say, they should refrain from blocking roads and instead present their concerns in court.

He was speaking after the inauguration of the Bangladesh Police Liberation War Museum at Mymensingh Police Lines on Saturday.

"The Chief Justice has given clear instructions, and judgments issued by the High Court have been suspended again," he said.

In response to journalists' questions at his office on Minto Road on Saturday afternoon, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Branch (DB) chief Additional Commissioner Mohammad Harunur Rashid suggested that the protesting students could be influenced by external forces.

"For the past few days, students have been obstructing public movement by blocking various roads instead of attending classes. They have even vandalized cars in several places, and a case has been filed," Rashid said.

"If anyone thinks he or she will not follow the court or the police, then our law enforcement agencies will take necessary action. If the protesters cause harm to people and property, block roads, and disrupt normal public movement, the law enforcement agencies will take appropriate measures," he added.