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Bangladesh's Job Quota Controversy: Supreme Court Ruling Brings Uneasy Calm

Monday 22 July 2024 - 14:25

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Bangladesh has experienced a tentative calm following the Supreme Court's decision to abolish most of the controversial job quotas that had sparked widespread protests. The ruling, issued on Sunday, has led to a suspension of demonstrations that had previously been met with a severe government crackdown.

The Supreme Court's verdict stipulates that 93 percent of state jobs should now be allocated based on merit, effectively overturning the previous system that reserved 56 percent of coveted government positions for specific groups. These groups included families of freedom fighters, women, and individuals from underdeveloped areas.

The quota system, revoked by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government in 2018, was unexpectedly revived by the High Court last month. This revival triggered a wave of protests that, according to reports, resulted in 163 fatalities as clashes erupted between student demonstrators and security forces across the nation.

Despite the court's ruling, a sense of unease persists. Student protesters have issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the government, presenting a new set of demands. A Dhaka University student, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated, "We will continue our protests until the government publishes the verdict in the gazette." This reference to the government's official record of decisions underscores the protesters' insistence on formal recognition of the court's ruling.

Additional demands include the release of detained protest leaders, the lifting of the ongoing curfew, and the reopening of universities, which have been closed since Wednesday. The government's response to these demands remains uncertain, as does the potential course of action should the 48-hour deadline pass without resolution.

As of Monday, no reports of violence or protests had emerged. The government has slightly relaxed the curfew, extending it from two to three hours in the afternoon to allow citizens to purchase essential items. However, the streets of Dhaka remain largely deserted, with army tanks stationed at various locations and armed security patrols directing the few motorists brave enough to venture out.

The unrest has had significant economic repercussions. Department stores report dwindling stocks due to supply chain disruptions, while the suspension of internet services has affected travel plans and essential services. The protests last week resulted in thousands of injuries as security forces employed tear gas, rubber bullets, and sound grenades to disperse demonstrators.

Experts attribute the unrest to stagnant job growth in the private sector and high rates of youth unemployment, factors that have made government jobs, with their regular wage increases and other benefits, increasingly attractive.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who began her fourth consecutive term this year, has faced accusations of authoritarianism, human rights violations, and crackdowns on free speech and dissent. Her government has consistently denied these charges.

As Bangladesh navigates this period of uneasy calm, the nation finds itself at a crossroads. The government's response to the protesters' demands and its ability to address the underlying economic issues will likely shape the country's immediate future. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether this pause in protests signals a genuine move towards resolution or merely a temporary lull in a longer-term struggle over employment opportunities and governance in Bangladesh.