Bangladesh’s Supreme Court on Sunday curtailed a controversial quota system for government jobs, a decision that follows days of nationwide unrest and a death toll reaching 136. The South Asian nation, with a population of 170 million, remains in a state of high tension, with military forces patrolling the streets, an indefinite curfew in place, and continued clashes between protestors and law enforcement.
Shah Monjurul Hoque, a lawyer representing students who contested the quota system, announced that the Supreme Court has provided a “final solution” by issuing a new formula for government job allocations. The court’s Appellate Division has decreed that 93% of government jobs should now be awarded based on merit, with 5% reserved for relatives of freedom fighters, 1% for minority ethnic groups, and 1% for individuals with disabilities and transgender people.
Previously, the quota system allocated 56% of government jobs to various groups, including 30% for relatives of veterans from the 1971 independence war and 10% for women. The High Court’s decision in June to reinstate these quotas ignited widespread student protests, escalating into the most severe political violence in Bangladesh in over a decade.
Continuing Unrest
Despite the Supreme Court ruling, unrest persists. Protestors demand justice for those killed during the clashes and call for further reforms. A statement from 59 student movement coordinators, released after the verdict and obtained by BenarNews, declared the decision “unclear” and called for the parliament to legally commit to quota reform within a week. They also urged the government to take responsibility for the deaths, launch an investigation, and compensate the families of those killed and injured.
The violence has claimed more lives as the curfew continues. Dhaka Medical College and Hospital reported receiving five deceased bodies on Sunday, with two additional deaths from earlier clashes. In the central district of Narsingdi, five more deaths were reported by a hospital spokesman. The indefinite curfew confines Bangladeshis to their homes with limited daily movement, deepening their hardship due to restricted access to the internet, mobile communications, public transportation, and banking services.
Protest leader Nahid Islam, from the University of Dhaka, recounted a harrowing experience from his hospital bed. He claimed to have been arrested and tortured by government agents, resulting in injuries to his shoulders and left leg. “They picked me up, blindfolded me, handcuffed me, and tortured me in an unknown location,” he told the BBC.
The demonstrations, initially sparked by opposition to the quota system, have evolved into broader protests against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s administration. Critics argue that Hasina has systematically suppressed dissent and consolidated power over the past 15 years. Economic frustrations also fuel the discontent, with nearly 40% of Bangladesh’s 15 to 24-year-olds neither in education nor employment, highlighting the government’s failure to provide adequate job opportunities.
Daily Life Under Curfew
The indefinite curfew has severely impacted daily life. With no internet or mobile communications, limited public transportation, and restricted access to banking, many Bangladeshis face significant challenges. Shops experience a surge in customers during the brief periods when the curfew is lifted.
“We opened the shop in the late morning when there were no customers. But as the curfew eased, people swarmed in like bees. We just had a couple of very busy hours,” Tanvir Hasan, a grocer in Dhaka, told. The United States and Germany have both issued travel advisories, urging their nationals to avoid traveling to Bangladesh due to the ongoing violence and instability.
“The situation is extremely volatile and unpredictable,” stated the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka on Sunday. “Travel to Bangladesh is currently not recommended,” echoed a German foreign ministry statement, warning of further restrictions and potential deterioration of the situation.
Law Minister Anisul Haq stated that the curfew would be lifted “when the law and order situation returns to normal.” However, the continued deployment of military forces and the extension of curfew hours indicate that the government remains cautious about the potential for further unrest.
The unrest and curfew have also had significant economic repercussions. The disruption of daily life, including the shutdown of businesses and transportation, has strained the economy. The financial sector is particularly affected, with people unable to access bank accounts and conduct transactions, further deepening the economic hardship for many.
The Supreme Court’s decision to modify the quota system is a significant step, but the ongoing unrest suggests that deeper systemic issues remain unresolved. The demand for justice, economic opportunity, and democratic freedoms reflect broader societal frustrations that the government must address to restore stability.
Bangladesh stands at a critical juncture, with the need for comprehensive reforms and reconciliation more pressing than ever. The Supreme Court’s verdict on the quota system is a pivotal moment, but the path to lasting peace and stability will require addressing the underlying causes of discontent and ensuring justice for those affected by the recent violence. The eyes of the world are on Bangladesh as it navigates this challenging period, with hopes that a peaceful resolution can be achieved.
