New Delhi: Bangladesh’s Supreme Court has abolished most of the quotas in government jobs, which had led to violent clashes across the country, resulting in more than 100 deaths.
Previously, one-third of public sector jobs were reserved for relatives of veterans from the 1971 war for independence from Pakistan.
The court’s new ruling stipulates that only 5% of these roles can now be reserved for veterans’ relatives. The government has yet to respond to this decision. A spokesman from Students Against Discrimination told AFP that while they welcome the verdict, protests will continue until the government issues an order reflecting their demands.
Dhaka’s streets remain largely empty as a second day of curfew is enforced, though sporadic clashes continue in some areas. Reuters reports that an armoured vehicle is stationed outside the Supreme Court, and soldiers are patrolling the capital. Some protest leaders have been arrested, while others are demanding justice for those killed in the clashes.
The Supreme Court’s decision mandates that 93% of public sector jobs be based on merit, with 5% reserved for veterans’ family members, and 2% for ethnic minorities or people with disabilities. This quota system, initially abolished in 2018 by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government, was reinstated by a lower court last month, triggering widespread protests. The government’s response included a harsh crackdown, curfew, and a communications blackout.
Despite Bangladesh’s status as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, this growth has not translated into sufficient job opportunities for university graduates. Estimates suggest that around 18 million young Bangladeshis are seeking employment, with university graduates facing higher unemployment rates than their less-educated counterparts.