Bangladesh Braces for Court Ruling Amid Deadly Protests Over Job Quotas

Bangladesh is on edge as the Supreme Court prepares to issue a verdict on a controversial civil service hiring quota system that has sparked nationwide protests and deadly clashes.

More details in the following report:

Weeks of student-led demonstrations in Bangladesh demanding the abolishment of the quota system have turned violent. The system reserves 30% of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in the 1971 war of independence. Protesters argue this is discriminatory and favors supporters of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League party.

Newspapers report over 100 deaths, but authorities haven’t confirmed official figures. Police have responded to protests with tear gas, rubber bullets, and smoke grenades. Sporadic clashes continued in Dhaka, the capital, though the extent of casualties remains unclear.

As the court prepares to rule on Sunday, the government has imposed a nationwide curfew with a brief window for essential errands. Soldiers patrol major cities, and an internet blackout remains in effect. Additionally, Sunday and Monday have been declared public holidays, with only emergency services functioning.

The unrest highlights cracks in Bangladesh’s governance and economy. Young people, frustrated by limited job opportunities after graduation, see the quota system as an additional barrier. This turmoil presents the biggest challenge to Prime Minister Hasina since her recent re-election.

Protesters demand a merit-based system, while Hasina defends the quotas, emphasizing the veterans’ sacrifices. Both sides met recently seeking a solution, and the government has expressed openness to discussion. The main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), supports the protests but denies inciting violence.

The Awami League and BNP have a long history of fueling political chaos. The recent national election saw a crackdown on opposition figures, and accusations of vote disruption. In 2018, similar protests led to a temporary suspension of the quotas, which were reinstated by the High Court in June. The Supreme Court now holds the key to resolving the crisis.

Prime Minister Hasina has urged protesters to await the court’s verdict. The nation waits with bated breath, hoping the ruling can usher in a period of calm and address the underlying issues that ignited this national crisis.