Bangladesh Supreme Court Reduces Controversial Job Quota Following Nationwide Civil War

 The Supreme Court of Bangladesh has significantly reduced a contentious job quota system following widespread national unrest, according to local media. The recent turmoil, which has resulted in over 100 fatalities, stemmed from student-led demonstrations against the job reservation policy.

A Call for Change

Students have been vehemently opposing a quota system that allocated 30 percent of government jobs to descendants of veterans from Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence. The protesters argue that this system disproportionately benefits supporters of the ruling Awami League party, which spearheaded the independence movement against Pakistan.

Supreme Court Ruling

In response to the protests, the Supreme Court decreed a reduction of the quota for veterans’ descendants to 5 percent, with 93 percent of government jobs now to be awarded based on merit. The remaining 2 percent will be reserved for members of ethnic minorities, as well as transgender and disabled individuals.

Protest Escalation

The verdict follows weeks of demonstrations, primarily driven by students, which escalated into violence when Awami League-affiliated groups attacked the protestors. Campaigners have accused the police of employing “unlawful force” during these confrontations.

Despite welcoming the Supreme Court’s decision, student groups have vowed to continue their demonstrations until all their demands are met. These include the release of those detained and the resignation of officials responsible for the violence.

Government Response

In an attempt to curb the protests, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government imposed a curfew, called in the army, and issued shoot-at-sight orders. This represents the most significant civil unrest since Hasina’s re-election for a fourth consecutive term earlier this year.

The situation has led to the closure of universities and a communications blockade, effectively isolating Bangladesh from the outside world. The unrest intensified as police deployed tear gas, rubber bullets, and smoke grenades against the stone-throwing protestors.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan announced that the curfew, initially enforced before the Supreme Court ruling, would be temporarily lifted for residents to stock up on essentials before being reinstated for an indefinite period.

Historical Context

Hasina’s previous administration abolished the quota system in 2018. However, the High Court reinstated it last month, igniting a fresh wave of protests and a subsequent government crackdown. Attorney General AM Amin Uddin stated that the Supreme Court has now declared last month’s High Court decision “illegal.”

Despite the controversy, Hasina defended the quota system, asserting that veterans deserved the utmost respect for their wartime contributions, regardless of their political affiliations. Attempts by government officials to label the demonstrators as “anti-national” only served to further inflame the situation.

Nationwide Crackdown

The shutdown of phone and internet services has created an “information blackout,” reported Al Jazeera’s Tanvir Chowdhury from Dhaka. The stringent measures have intensified public anger, shifting the protestors’ demands from quota reform to calls for the government’s resignation.

“It’s not just about the quotas anymore. Many have died, property has been destroyed, and there’s an information blackout,” Chowdhury told Al Jazeera. “We still don’t know the full account of the death toll and casualties from the recent days.”

A Nation at a Crossroads

Ali Riaz, a political scientist at Illinois State University, described the protest movement as having evolved into an existential threat to the government. He urged protestors to wait for the Supreme Court’s verdict.

“Bangladesh is at a crossroads,” Riaz told Al Jazeera. “Politically, the government might survive, but if the protestors remain steadfast, they could potentially force the government to resign.”

In wresponse to the escalating crisis, Hasina’s government declared Sunday and Monday public holidays, restricting operations to only essential services.