ANTI – QUOTA PROTESTS IN BANGLADESH

ANTI – QUOTA PROTESTS IN BANGLADESH

What is the quota system in Bangladesh?

The quota system reserves over 50% of government jobs for certain groups, including 30% for children of war heroes from the 1971 independence war, and quotas for women, ethnic minorities, and people with disabilities.

HISTORY OF QUOTA SYSTEM IN BANGLADESH

• After the Bangladesh Liberation war of 1971, the nation was remodelled, socially, economically and politically.
•  One of the chief promises at the base of the state’s creation was Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s assurance that the new nation would do justice by those who sacrificed and suffered for the cause of freedom, facing off against the Pakistani military.
• Post his return to Dhaka In 1972, Mujib resolved to create a quota for freedom fighters, or Mukti joddhas.

Opposition to the return of a 30% quota in government employment

• • The protests are led by youths of Bangladesh.
  • They are opposed to the return of a 30% quota in government employment at all levels for those who fought for the freedom of Bangladesh from Pakistan, as well as their children and grandchildren.
  • Students are protesting against the quota system, arguing it's discriminatory and not based on merit. They demand recruitment to be based solely on qualifications and performance.

REASON –

• The Supreme Court ordered the reinstatement of the quota system in early June 2024, after it had been abolished in 2018 following previous protests.

Violence Sparked by a court order

• On June 5, the High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh reinstated the 30% job quota for freedom fighters' descendants, overturning a 2018 government decision to eliminate these quotas.
• Although the government has expressed agreement with the students' demands, it has appealed to the Supreme Court, which has suspended the High Court's ruling and will hear the case on August 7.
• Since April, students and teachers have been protesting, demanding that quotas be capped at 10%.
• These protests have involved clashes with police and the Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of the ruling Awami League party.

• BANGLADESH UPDATES
  • GOVERNMENT RESPONSE
  • SUPREME COURT RESCHEDULES CASE
  • DEGRADING ECONOMY
  • MILITARY COUP