What Is Bangladesh's Quota System That Has Led To Students' Protest — Explained

The protests started last month after the High Court reinstated a quota system for government jobs, which was repealed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government in 2018.

The protests have been going on in Bangladesh since last month.

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At least six people have been reported dead while hundreds have been injured after the students in Bangladesh took to the streets demanding a reform in the quota system for government jobs in the country.

The Bangladesh government on Thursday expressed its willingness to hold talks with the protesting students even as it suspended transport services and deployed Border Guard Bangladesh personnel across the country.

Though the clash has been going on since last month, it escalated this week after an overnight lull as thousands of students attempted to enforce a nationwide shutdown on Thursday. The demonstrators have accused the ruling party’s student wing, Bangladesh Chhatra League of attacking their “peaceful protests” with backing from the police

Why Did the Protests Begin? 

The protests started last month after the High Court reinstated a quota system for government jobs, which was repealed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government in 2018. 

These scenes are not from a war zone but from Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. For the third consecutive day, police and paramilitary forces are violently cracking down on students who are demanding the abolition of the quota system. Since last night, the government has blocked… pic.twitter.com/Q0iD1cPbb5

— Sami (@ZulkarnainSaer) July 18, 2024

The move, reserved 30% of the jobs for the family members of the freedom fighters of the 1971 war for independence from Pakistan. However, the Supreme Court later suspended the high court order after the appeal from the government. 

Despite the Supreme Court's decision, students escalated the protests after Hasina called the protestors 'razakar', making use of an offensive term for those accused of collaborating with Pakistan's army in 1971 to betray the country.

What Is Bangladesh's Quota System?

Bangladesh's quota system, first introduced in 1972, has gone through several changes since. Under the system, 56% of government jobs are reserved under the current quota system, with 30 being for the descendants of the 1971 Liberation War freedom fighters, 10 per cent for backward administrative districts, 10 per cent for women, five per cent for ethnic minority groups and one per cent for the handicapped people.

Every year some 3,000 government jobs open up to nearly 400,000 graduates. The protestors waged the campaign for the reform of the system, saying it was debarring meritorious students’ recruitment in first-class and second-class government jobs. 

The protestors started the campaign for the reform of the system saying it was debarring meritorious students’ recruitment in first-class and second-class government jobs. 

Why Are Students Opposed To Quota System?

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh, who led the freedom movement in 1972. 

BANGLADESH 🇧🇩: @amnesty has analysed and authenticated witness testimonies, video and photographic evidence which confirms that the police used unlawful force against student protesters.

Further witness testimonies confirm the continuation of a multi-year pattern of violence… pic.twitter.com/eRQieEoYZH

— Amnesty International South Asia, Regional Office (@amnestysasia) July 17, 2024

Those opposing the system and critics say the 30 per cent quota for families of freedom fighters favours Awami League supporters, who led the independence fight.

What Has Sheikh Hasina Said?

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in an address to the nation on Wednesday, “deeply regretted” the casualties in the violence over student protests and said that a judicial inquiry committee will be formed. 

Hasina asked demonstrators to keep faith in the country’s apex court as the issue is pending with it.

"I believe our students will get justice (in the apex court). They will not be disappointed," she said in an unscheduled nationwide address a day after six people were killed as the protest spread in major cities across the country on Tuesday and continued on Wednesday. 

India Issues Advisory

India has advised its citizens residing in Bangladesh to avoid travel and minimise their movement in view of the ongoing protests.

The Indian High Commission said that the Indian community members and members and the students residing in Bangladesh should avoid travel and minimise their movement outside their living premises.

There were approximately 7,000 Indians in Bangladesh, according to the high commission's website.