Bangladesh’s top court has significantly reduced quotas for government jobs, a move that follows violent protests that have claimed over 100 lives. Previously, one-third of public sector jobs were reserved for relatives of veterans from the 1971 independence war. The court has now reduced this to 5%.
Law Minister Anisul Huq welcomed the verdict, though uncertainty remains regarding the protesters’ response. Some student leaders have called for continued demonstrations. Lawyer Shah Manjurul Haque, who supported the quotas, called the ruling “historic” and urged calm, asking students to go home and for others not to exploit the situation.
Despite the ruling, protests persist. A spokesman for Students Against Discrimination stated that they welcome the verdict but will not stop protesting until the government enacts an order reflecting their demands. Arrests of protest leaders have been reported, and justice is being sought for those killed in the clashes.
Dhaka remains under curfew, with sporadic clashes continuing. Official reports confirm at least 115 deaths, though local media suggest higher numbers, including 50 fatalities on Friday alone.
The Supreme Court’s decision mandates that 93% of public sector jobs be awarded based on merit, with 5% reserved for veterans’ families and 2% for ethnic minorities and people with disabilities. This decision follows Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government scrapping the quota system in 2018, which was reinstated by a lower court last month, sparking the protests.
