Why Bangladesh Students Protesting Against Job Quotas?

Bangladesh's top court scales back jobs quota after protests. Read this editorial to know Why Bangladesh Students Are Protesting Against Job Quotas.

Table of Contents

Context: Recently, students protested against quotas for government jobs in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s top court scales back jobs quota after protests

Reduction of Veterans’ Quota: The Supreme Court has cut the quota for war veterans from 30% to 5%.
Merit-Based Allocation: Now, 93% of government jobs are allocated based on merit.
Reservations for Other Groups: The remaining 2% is reserved for ethnic minorities, transgender individuals, and people with disabilities.

Original Notification (1972): On September 5, 1972, a system reserving 30% of government and semi-government posts for freedom fighters, and 10% for women, was established.
Post-Assassination Freeze: Following the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in August 1975, these quotas were frozen until 1996.
Extension to Descendants: When Hasina became Prime Minister in 1996, benefits of the freedom fighters’ quota were extended to their children, and later to their grandchildren in 2011.
Developments Post-2001: The implementation of the quota system slowed after the Awami League lost power in 2001 but picked up again when Hasina returned to power in 2009.
2018 Withdrawal of Quota: In 2018, the Hasina government decided to scrap the freedom fighter and other quotas, which were challenged in court.
- The High Court ruled the government’s decision was arbitrary, affirming that freedom fighters and their progeny were still considered backwards.

Protesters’ Perspective: Protesters argue that the quota system is discriminatory and benefits the Awami League’s supporters, advocating for a merit-based system.
Government’s Defence: Hasina defends the quota, emphasising respect for veterans’ contributions during the war, beyond political affiliations.

Potential for Reforms: The Supreme Court’s decision and the government’s dialogue with protesters could lead to further reforms.
Ongoing Tensions: The political landscape remains charged, with the potential for continued unrest and opposition activities.
Impact on Governance: The resolution of the quota system controversy will significantly influence Bangladesh’s future governance and societal structure.