Bangladesh Government Set to Accept Court Ruling on Job Quotas Amid Ongoing Protests

News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/23rd July 2024

The Bangladesh government is poised to formally accept a court ruling on Tuesday that will reduce quotas for state jobs, a significant concession to the students who have been protesting for several days. This move comes after weeks of intense demonstrations that have seen some of the worst violence in recent years, resulting in nearly 150 fatalities.

The streets of Dhaka and other major cities have seen a return to calm for the second consecutive day. This peace follows a curfew and a comprehensive shutdown of internet and telecommunications services that the government imposed in response to the violent protests. The demonstrations initially erupted over the reinstatement of a quota system for government jobs, which the protesters argue unfairly allocated nearly 60% of these positions to specific groups, including families of war veterans.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government had previously abolished the quotas in 2018, but the high court’s recent decision to reinstate them sparked widespread unrest. The Supreme Court’s decision on Sunday to eliminate most of these quotas was promptly approved by Hasina late Monday night. The official acceptance of the court ruling is anticipated to be published in the government’s formal record on Tuesday, fulfilling one of the protesters’ key demands.

In her response to the unrest, Hasina has accused political opponents of inciting violence and has indicated that the curfew, in place since Friday, will be lifted when conditions improve. The protesters have issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding eight specific actions from the government, including a public apology from Hasina and the reopening of university campuses that were closed due to the unrest.

The international community is also taking action in response to the violence. Malaysia has begun efforts to evacuate its citizens from Bangladesh, with a flight scheduled to arrive in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday afternoon. Similarly, India has reported that approximately 4,500 Indian students have returned home in recent days due to the escalating situation.

The resolution of the quota issue and the government’s response to the protesters’ demands are expected to play a crucial role in restoring stability in Bangladesh. The violence has highlighted deep-seated tensions and concerns over the fairness of employment practices within the country. As the situation continues to evolve, the focus will shift to how effectively the government can address the remaining demands and prevent further unrest.