Dr. Kamal Hasan Mamun, a professor in the Physics Department of Dhaka University, has strongly criticized the recent discussions about bringing back the quota system. He said that reintroducing quota after a nationwide protest against it would be nothing short of “বাটপারি” (a form of public deception or dishonesty).
On Monday (July 14, 2025), the professor made this comment through a Facebook post on his personal account, where he openly questioned the logic and morality behind such a move.
“Isn’t This Deception?” Asks Professor Mamun
Dr. Mamun directly wrote:
“কোটার বিরুদ্ধে আন্দোলন করে এখন আবার কোটা চালু করা কি বাটপারি নয়?”
(“Isn’t it deception to bring back the quota system after protesting against it?”)
He was referring to the massive anti-quota movement where students from across the country had taken to the streets in protest just a few years ago.
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Turning a Revolution into Personal Gain
In the same post, Dr. Mamun expressed concern that the spirit of the July uprising is now being misused for personal branding, power games, or popularity.
“জুলাই গণঅভ্যুত্থান, কোটা, জাতীয় সংস্কারক, ‘জাতীয় বীর’, দেশের ৬৪টা জেলায় ‘জুলাই স্মৃতিস্তম্ভ’—এসব কিছুকে এখন পণ্যে রূপান্তরিত করার প্রবণতা দেখা যাচ্ছে।”
(“The July uprising, quota, national reformers, ‘national heroes’, and July monuments in all 64 districts—these are now being turned into marketable products.”)
Nation’s Welfare Being Ignored
According to Dr. Mamun, people are now more focused on point scoring and personal benefit, rather than doing what is truly best for the country.
“যা করা দরকার, যা করলে দেশের ও দেশের মানুষের মঙ্গল হয়—সেদিকে কারও নজর নেই। তাহলে আগের শাসকের সঙ্গে পার্থক্য কোথায়?”
(“No one is focused on what truly needs to be done for the country and its people. So, what’s the difference from previous rulers?”)
Double Standards Creating Confusion
Dr. Mamun believes that those who once led anti-quota protests are now supporting the return of quotas, which is confusing and contradictory.
“একদিকে কোটাবিরোধী আন্দোলন এবং অন্যদিকে একই দাবিদারদের কোটা পুনর্বহালের পক্ষাবলম্বন—এই দ্বৈত মানসিকতা জাতিকে বিভ্রান্ত করছে।”
(“On one hand, there’s an anti-quota movement, and on the other, the same people now support reinstating quotas—this double standard is misleading the nation.”)
Call for Real Reform Over Symbolic Heroism
Finally, Dr. Kamal Hasan Mamun emphasized the need to shift focus from political stunts and hero labels to real and meaningful reform.
“ব্যক্তিস্বার্থ, রাজনৈতিক স্ট্যান্টবাজি কিংবা ‘বীর’ তকমা পাওয়ার প্রতিযোগিতা—এসব থেকে বের হয়ে সত্যিকার অর্থে সংস্কার ও জনকল্যাণের রাজনীতি প্রয়োজন।”
(“We must move away from self-interest, political stunts, or competing for the ‘hero’ title. What we truly need is reform and people-focused politics.”)
Source: The Daily Campus
