A student group leading protests in Bangladesh against government job quotas announced Monday that they have withdrawn their calls for a complete shutdown. The decision comes after a week of unrest that resulted in dozens of deaths, an internet shutdown, and a curfew. On Sunday, the country’s Supreme Court scaled back the controversial quota system, which had initially sparked the protests.
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The quotas, originally reserving 30% of civil service positions for families of those who fought in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, were scrapped by the government in 2018 but reintroduced by a court last month. This move led to widespread anger, especially among the country’s youth, who make up about a fifth of the population. The Supreme Court’s recent ruling now reserves only 5% of civil service jobs for children of independence war veterans and 2% for other categories.
Response to Violence
Nahid Islam, leader of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, stated that the group suspended protests due to the high death toll, which hospitals reported at nearly 150 people. “We started this movement for reforming the quota,” Islam said, “but we did not want quota reform at the expense of so much blood, so much killing, so much damage to life and property.” The group issued an ultimatum for the government to stop the digital crackdown, restore internet connectivity, withdraw security officials from universities, and end the curfew.
Government officials have blamed the unrest on the protesters and opposition parties. Police reported more than 500 arrests in Dhaka alone, including opposition politicians. Ali Riaz, a politics professor and Bangladesh expert at Illinois State University, described the violence as “the worst massacre by any regime since independence,” highlighting the regime’s reliance on brute force.
International Reactions
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus urged world leaders and the United Nations to end the violence and investigate the killings. Yunus, known for his pioneering work in microfinance, has faced criticism from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who accused him of exploiting the poor. Yunus called the crisis worsening by the day, noting that even high school students were among the victims.
Diplomats in Dhaka have questioned the government’s response to the protests. During a briefing, US ambassador Peter Haas criticized the government for presenting a one-sided version of events, emphasizing the need to show footage of police firing at unarmed protesters. The use of UN-marked armoured personnel carriers and helicopters to suppress the protests has also raised concerns among international representatives.
Background on Quota System
The job quota system has been a contentious issue in Bangladesh, with around 18 million young people out of work according to government figures. The reintroduction of the quota scheme deeply upset graduates facing a severe jobs crisis. The Supreme Court’s decision reduced reserved jobs from 56% to 7%, most of which remain for descendants of “freedom fighters” from the 1971 war. However, 93% of jobs will now be awarded on merit, a change that falls short of the protesters’ demand to eliminate the “freedom fighter” category entirely.
Critics argue that the quota system has been used to fill public jobs with loyalists to Hasina’s ruling Awami League. The government, accused by rights groups of misusing state institutions to entrench power and suppress dissent, faces allegations of extrajudicial killings of opposition activists. Hasina, who has ruled Bangladesh since 2009, won her fourth consecutive election in January after a vote with no genuine opposition.
The student protests in Bangladesh underscore the significant challenges the country faces in addressing youth unemployment and ensuring fair access to government jobs. The recent Supreme Court ruling and the subsequent unrest highlight the urgent need for reform and dialogue between the government and the public.
As international pressure mounts and domestic tensions rise, the Bangladeshi government must navigate these issues carefully to restore peace and stability while addressing the legitimate concerns of its young population. The collaboration between students, government officials, and international bodies will be crucial in finding a sustainable solution that balances meritocracy with historical recognition.