Supreme court decision on job quotas sparks rension in Bangladesh
Bangladesh’s Supreme Court, in a landmark ruling on Sunday, abolished the majority of quotas for government jobs that have triggered intense protests across the nation, leading to the deaths of at least 114 people, according to local media.
The court’s Appellate Division overturned a previous lower court order which had reinstated the job quotas, ruling instead that 93% of government positions will now be filled based on merit, without reservations, local reports confirmed.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s administration had initially abolished the quota system in 2018, but protests erupted anew when a lower court reinstated it last month. The demonstrations swelled into violent clashes between protesters and security forces, prompting a government crackdown.
As anticipation mounted ahead of the Supreme Court’s decision, authorities extended a curfew in Dhaka and deployed soldiers to maintain order. Internet and text messaging services had been shut down since Thursday as police cracked down on protesters defying a ban on public gatherings.
The curfew, initially set until 3 p.m. (0900 GMT), was extended indefinitely following a brief two-hour respite for residents to gather supplies, local media reported. The future of the curfew remained uncertain after the court ruling, leaving residents and authorities alike on edge.
It remains to be seen how protesters will respond to the Supreme Court’s decision, which marks a significant turn in the ongoing unrest over government job quotas in Bangladesh.
