Bangladesh’s Supreme Court reduces job quotas, quells protests

Bangladesh’s Supreme Court abolished the majority of government job quotas yesterday, following nationwide student-led protests that escalated into violent riots, resulting in at least 139 deaths. 

Dismissing the lower court decision, the Supreme Court instructed the government to reduce job quotas for families of independence fighters to 5%, according to Bangladesh Attorney General A.M. Amin Uddin. 

While 2% of quotas will be allocated to marginalised groups and individuals with disabilities, said the attorney general.

The remaining 93% of government positions would be filled based on merit. 

“I am hoping normalcy will return after today’s (July 21) ruling and people with ulterior motives will stop instigating people,” Amin added, reported Reuters. 

Despite the ruling, some protest organisers have vowed to continue their demonstrations.

“The judgement of the Supreme Court seems unclear to us. There is no clear-cut solution for all types of quotas,” said one of the protest coordinators, Abdul Quader. 

In 2018, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government abolished a quota system that reserved 56% of government jobs for specific groups like freedom fighters’ families, women, and residents of underdeveloped areas. 

However, a lower court reinstated the quotas last month, igniting protests and a subsequent crackdown that included an internet blackout and a military-enforced curfew.

Bangladesh media reported that on Saturday, the government extended the curfew indefinitely. However, on Sunday, restrictions were temporarily lifted for two hours to let people purchase supplies.

On 20 July, the Malaysian High Commission said they have relocated Malaysian students in Bangladesh to its official residence in Dhaka for their safety amid the riots. 

Students requiring help can contact the high commission, said Wisma Putra.