Bangladesh’s top court scraps job quotas that led to deadly student-led protests

Bangladesh’s top court has scrapped the quotas on government jobs that led to widespread student-led protests and violent clashes that killed more than 100 people.

According to reports in local media, on Sunday afternoon the supreme court overturned a ruling that had reintroduced quotas for all civil service jobs, meaning that 30% were reserved for veterans and relatives of those who fought in the Bangladesh war of independence in 1971.

The supreme court ruling, which was brought forward in light of the protests, stipulated that most quotas would be scrapped, and 93% of jobs would now be open to candidates based on merit.

The return of the quotas, which had been scrapped in 2018, sparked anger among students, who argued they were unjust at a time of economic decline and unfairly benefited those in the ruling Awami League party, which was founded by those who fought in the independence war.

Peaceful demonstrations initially broke out on university campuses across the country as students mobilised through social media to demand an end to the quotas. However, the unrest turned violent last week as pro-government groups were accused of attacking the protesters with weapons and police used rubber bullets and teargas to break up protests.

Violent clashes between pro-government forces and protesters have left thousands injured and killed about 114 people, though the government has refused to release official data on the death toll.

The government has also imposed a communications blackout, with the internet shut down and phone lines widely jammed. At least 70 leaders of the political opposition and several student leaders and activists have also been arrested, accused of stirring up unrest.

As the court ruling was given, the country remained under a strict curfew which was extended indefinitely, with people banned from leaving their homes and gathering in any capacity. Police have been granted “shoot on site” orders for those who violate the curfew.

The scrapping of the quotas is likely to be greeted with relief by student groups but it remained unclear if it would end the protests. The police’s violent response to the protests provoked a larger movement against the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, and her Awami League government, which has ruled since 2009, and many on the streets have called for Hasina to resign.

Awami has vowed to bring justice for the families of those killed in the violence but protesters and witnesses have alleged that police violence is responsible for a large number of the fatalities.