Bangladesh's Supreme Court has scrapped most of the quotas on government jobs that had sparked nationwide protests by students that have killed at least 114 people in recent days.

Dhaka

Bangladesh's Supreme Court has scrapped most of the quotas on government jobs that had sparked deadly student-led protests. The decision comes after at least 114 people were killed in the South Asian country as a result of these protests. 

Bangladesh Attorney General A.M. Armin Adin stated that the jobs should be allocated based on merit. The Supreme Court's Appellate Division, following Article 104, set new quota allocations: 93% for the general population, 5% for freedom fighters and their kin, 1% for the ethnic minority community, and 1% for the third gender and physically disabled. 

The protests were ignited by quotas that reserved 30% of government positions for families of those who fought for independence from Pakistan. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government initially abolished this quota in 2018, but a lower court reinstated it recently.

Adin mentioned that students had denied involvement in the violence and that the government would identify those responsible. Witnesses observed that the streets of Dhaka were quiet after the Supreme Court's decision. Earlier reports from local media mentioned scattered clashes and a curfew extension amidst military patrols and checkpoints. 

The government temporarily cut off internet and text messaging services since Thursday, disrupting communication for the nation's 170 million people. This measure was part of a crackdown on protesters who defied a ban on public gatherings. Bangladeshis trying to travel faced difficulties, as reported by Mohammad Khosla, whose attempts to return to Saudi Arabia were thwarted.



Bangladesh court scraps most job quotas on government jobs

Bangladesh's Supreme Court on Sunday scrapped most of the quotas on government jobs that had sparked deadly student-led protests, killing at least 114 people in the South Asian country. Bangladesh Attorney General A.M. Armin Adin said the jobs should be open to candidates on merit. The Supreme Court's Appellate Division, according to Article 104, gave a final solution to this quota system. That is 93% quota for general people, 5% quota for freedom fighters and their kin, 1% for ethnic minority community, and 1% for third gender and physically disabled. Nationwide unrest sparked following student anger against the quotas that included reserving 30% of government positions for families of those who fought for independence from Pakistan. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government scrapped the quota in 2018, but the lower court reinstated it last month. Adin told Reuters by phone that protesting students had said they were not involved in violence and the government would find those responsible for it. Witnesses said that the capital of Dhaka's streets were quiet following the decision, after local media had reported scattered clashes earlier in the day. Demonstrations have also been fuelled by high unemployment among young people, who make up nearly a fifth of the population. Military were patrolling with army checkpoints set up as the government had extended a curfew while bracing for the judgement. Internet and text message services in Bangladesh have been suspended since Thursday, cutting the nation's 170 million people off as police cracked down on protesters who defied a ban on public gatherings. Bangladeshis trying to leave the country crowded outside an airline office in Dhaka on Sunday. Mohammad Khosla told Reuters he was trying to return to Saudi Arabia. His flight was cancelled and a new one cost him over $200. He says if he is stuck in Bangladesh for two more days, he will need to beg in the streets. Local media reported the curfew was to resume for an uncertain time after a two-hour break for people to gather supplies. For more UN videos visit www.un.org

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