After a series of deadly protests, Bangladesh’s Supreme Court has decided to roll back certain job quotas, as reported by local media.
Since the 1970s, 56% of government roles in Bangladesh were reserved for various groups, including descendants of freedom fighters, women, ethnic minorities, and residents from underdeveloped districts. The remaining 44% was contested on a merit basis.
The quotas became a contentious issue in 2018 when thousands of students protested across the country, demanding a reduction in the government job reservation to 10%. These protests turned violent, leading to several injuries and even fatalities. The protesters claimed that the quotas deprived able and deserving candidates of their rightful opportunity.
Responding to the protests, the Supreme Court has taken the decision to roll back some quotas while maintaining reservations for certain marginalized sections of the society. The new policy details have not been disclosed publicly yet.
