The Supreme Court of Bangladesh has significantly reduced the quota system for government jobs after it triggered widespread protests and deadly clashes between police and demonstrators. According to an AFP report, the decision comes after unrest that resulted in numerous fatalities.
The court decreed that 93% of government jobs would now be allocated based on merit, while 5% of civil service positions would remain reserved for the children of independence war veterans, and 2% for other specific categories, as stated by Attorney-General A M Amin Uddin.
Extended Curfew and Nationwide Restrictions
The Sheikh Hasina administration has extended the nationwide curfew until 3 pm on Sunday. Authorities have been ordered to enforce a “shoot-on-sight” policy to quell the ongoing protests, which have escalated the death toll to 114. Only emergency services are operational, and Sunday and Monday have been declared public holidays to manage the situation.
Escalation of Protests
The protests intensified over the past week, following a controversial statement by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on July 14. She remarked, “If the grandchildren of the freedom fighters don’t get quota benefits, should the grandchildren of Razakars get the benefit?” This statement angered many young people who have been demanding an end to the quota system, which previously reserved 30% of government jobs for the descendants of the veterans of the 1971 war of independence against Pakistan.
As the country grapples with the aftermath of these decisions and actions, the government aims to balance meritocracy with social justice while addressing the concerns of all affected groups.
