Bangladesh: Supreme Court suspends job quotas following student protests
- Student protests in Bangladesh lead to the temporary suspension of job quotas reserved for war heroes' children.
- Thousands of students staged nationwide protests demanding an end to 'discriminatory' job quotas.
- The Supreme Court of Bangladesh intervened by suspending the job quotas for government positions.
Thousands of university students in Bangladesh are protesting against a recruitment system that they claim favors certain groups, including children of war heroes, for high-paying government jobs. The system reserves a third of positions for the children of those who fought for the country's independence in 1971, leading to accusations of unfair advantages for pro-government groups supporting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The protests, known as the Bangla Blockade, have prompted the country's top court to temporarily suspend the system, although students are demanding a permanent removal. The system, reinstated last month after being halted in 2018, has sparked widespread discontent among students. The students are adamant about not returning to classrooms until their demands for quota reform are met, emphasizing the need for a permanent solution to the issue. The quota system, which reserves more than half of civil service posts for specific groups, has been a point of contention, with students calling for its abolition except for quotas for the disabled and minorities. The protests have escalated, with students blocking key intersections in Dhaka and major highways, disrupting train services and demanding an end to what they perceive as discriminatory practices in job allocations. Critics of the quota system argue that it hinders equal opportunities and perpetuates inequalities, particularly for women who feel that the system is obstructing their progress. Despite the government's stance that there is no justification for the anti-quota movement, students remain resolute in their demands for change. The ongoing protests reflect broader concerns about job opportunities for university graduates in Bangladesh, a country that has seen significant economic growth but faces challenges in providing employment for its youth population. The students' determination to challenge the status quo underscores a growing discontent with existing systems and a call for reforms to ensure a more equitable and merit-based recruitment process.