Table of Contents
Court Ruling and Background
Students have been demanding an end to a controversial quota system that reserved 30 percent of government jobs for descendants of veterans who fought in Bangladesh’s war of independence in 1971. They say the quota favours allies of the governing Awami League party, which led the independence movement against Pakistan.
The Supreme Court ordered that the quota for veterans’ descendants be cut to 5 percent, with 93 percent of jobs to be allocated on merit. The remaining 2 percent will be set aside for members of ethnic minorities and transgender and disabled people.
Public Reaction and Protests
The quota system led to massive unrest in 2018, resulting in injuries and deaths during clashes with police. Protesters argued that the system deprived meritorious candidates of fair opportunities. The unrest highlighted deep-seated frustrations among young people about job prospects in the country.
Government Response
In response to the protests, the government had promised to review the quota system, leading to this landmark court ruling. The court’s decision is seen as a move towards a more merit-based recruitment process, potentially easing tensions among job-seekers.
Moving Forward
While the ruling has been welcomed by many, it also raises concerns about the future representation of historically marginalized groups in government jobs. The government and judiciary will need to balance meritocracy with social equity as they implement the new recruitment policies.