Bangladesh Top Court Scales Back Jobs Quota That Sparked Deadly Violence

Digital Desk: Bangladesh’s highest court on Sunday partially amended a controversial quota system for government job applicants, marking a partial victory for student protesters following days of widespread unrest and deadly clashes with police.

The ruling came amid violent demonstrations triggered by a quota that reserved a significant portion of government jobs for relatives of veterans from Bangladesh’s 1971 independence war. These quotas sparked considerable dissatisfaction among students who argued that the system was discriminatory and favored supporters of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ruling Awami League party.

Initially suspended in 2018 after mass student protests, the quotas were reinstated by the high court in June, reigniting tensions and prompting fresh protests. The Supreme Court’s decision reduced the quota from 30% to 5% for veterans' relatives, with 93% of positions now to be filled based on merit. The remaining 2% will be allocated to ethnic minorities, transgender individuals, and people with disabilities. However, these adjustments fell short of meeting protesters’ demands for the complete abolition of all quotas.

The unrest, described as some of the worst during Hasina's tenure, led to university closures and a nationwide internet shutdown, accompanied by a government-imposed stay-at-home order. The protests escalated into violent clashes, with police employing tear gas, rubber bullets, and smoke grenades against stone-throwing demonstrators. Although official casualty figures were not released by authorities, local reports suggested at least 103 fatalities, with other sources indicating up to 151 deaths.

The situation escalated further with the deployment of soldiers to patrol major cities. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan announced a temporary easing of the stay-at-home order for essential errands and declared public holidays to manage the crisis.