Bangladesh’s Top Court Overturns Quota System for Public Employment

Dhaka, July 21 (EFE).- Bangladesh’s top court on Sunday revoked an order allowing large quotas of public employment for the children of war veterans, which had sparked massive student protests and deadly violence, resulting in over 100 deaths.

In a special hearing held prematurely due to widespread street violence, the Supreme Court decided to annul the Dhaka High Court’s order issued in June.

The high court order had permitted the government to allocate one-third of public sector jobs to the descendants of combatants from the 1971 Bangladeshi liberation war.

Protesters argue that the quota system is discriminatory and benefits supporters of the ruling party, the Awami League, while the government defends it as a way to honor war veterans.

However, the apex court scaled back the quotas, apparently to calm the escalating street violence.

According to the Supreme Court’s decision, 93 percent of jobs will now be available for the general open merit category, and only 5 percent will be reserved for relatives of freedom fighters, said Shah Monjurul Haque, a lawyer representing the students.

Two percent of the quota is reserved for members of ethnic minorities, transgender people, and disabled people, Haque said.

The top court has thus met the main demand of the students, who took to the streets two weeks ago in protests that turned violent, with security forces allegedly using disproportionate force to quell the unrest.

Around 120 people have died during the week of protests since Monday, according to an EFE tally.

“The court urged the students to return to classes and also asked their guardians to tell their children to return,” Haque said.

Attorney General AM Amin Uddin also made a similar request for calm.

“Since all the demands of the students have been met with this verdict, they should return to class,” he told reporters.

A spokesperson for the students, Abdullah Saleheen, told EFE that they would announce their reaction to the decision at the end of the day after student leaders meet.

Earlier, the Bangladeshi government extended a nationwide curfew for one more day amid an ongoing communications blackout across the country.

The curfew was relaxed between 3 pm and 5 pm to allow citizens to buy essentials, according to an order from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government.

The government imposed the curfew at midnight on Friday with shoot-to-kill orders for mobs, a day after it blocked mobile and internet communications.

Authorities have also closed universities and schools and banned public gatherings. The nationwide communication blockade has not only cut off internet access but also phone calls and text messages, particularly from abroad.

Digital media outlets have been down for days, and only government-affiliated television channels remain operational. EFE

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