Tens of thousands of students in Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, took to the streets on Thursday demanding the abolishment of quotas for civil service jobs and advocating for positions to be awarded based on merit.
The protests were sparked by a recent court decision that reinstated quotas for government jobs, which had been previously abolished in 2018 following a nationwide student protest. Despite a temporary halt to the ruling by the appellate division, the demonstrations continued.
Protesters blocked main streets, entry and exit points, and key intersections in Dhaka, causing significant traffic disruptions in one of the world’s most crowded cities. The protests also impacted Dhaka’s metro rail route.
Student leader, Akram Hossain, highlighted the impact of the quota system on talented individuals, stating that it hinders their access to important job opportunities where merit should be the sole criteria, such as teaching roles.
The current movement, which is more organized compared to the 2018 protests, has seen students from various universities across Bangladesh participating in the demonstrations. They are calling for a special session in parliament to address their demands.
Background on Quota System in Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, over 50% of government jobs are reserved for quota holders, including descendants of freedom fighters from the 1971 war of independence. Student leaders argue that these quotas are no longer relevant and should be eliminated.
In 2018, widespread protests led to the government’s decision to abolish quotas and transition to a merit-based system for government job allocations. The current protests represent a renewed push for the implementation of this merit system.
Despite some clashes with police during the protests, student coordinators remain determined to continue their peaceful demonstrations until their demands are addressed by the government.
Overall, the student protests in Bangladesh highlight the ongoing struggle for reform in the civil service job allocation system and the students’ commitment to advocating for a fair and merit-based approach.
