Bangladesh Supreme Court Ruling on Job Quotas and Subsequent Protests

Background

• Previous Quota System: About 30% of government jobs were reserved for families of veterans from the War of Independence.
• New Ruling: Quota reduced from 30% to 5%.
• Protests: Students protested against job quotas, calling them discriminatory and blocking more than half of government job opportunities.

Court Ruling

• Change: Quota reduction results in 93% of civil service jobs being open for graduating students.
• Protest Outcome: Even after the court ruling, student protests persist demanding justice for those killed during the unrest.

Unrest and Violence

• Peaceful Protests: Initially peaceful demonstrations against high court ruling reinstating the quota system.
• Crackdown: Government crackdown led by police and armed forces escalated into deadly riots.
• Casualties: Over 100 people killed, mostly students. Reports of open firing on protesters.
• Hospitals: Overflowing with injured students.

Reactions and Statements

• Government: Pledged to investigate the killings.
• Student Demands: Continue protests until justice is served for those killed.

Expert Insight

• Guest: Tasim KH, Bangladeshi journalist in exile in Sweden.
• Protest Continuation: Protests likely to continue beyond quota reforms, focusing now on justice for those killed.
• Quota System Origin: Historical context linked to rewarding cronies loyal to the ruling party.
• Political Impact: Potential threat to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government legitimacy and political future.

Future Prospects

• Political Uncertainty: Analyst suggests difficulty for current government to maintain legitimacy and control.

Key Issues

• Student vs. Government: Main conflict revolves around perceived discrimination in job allocation and the violent response to protests.
• Human Rights: Concerns over human rights violations during the crackdown on protests.