Is this a turning point or an ending for Bangladesh? In the past few months, many people in Bangladesh have been protesting. Students and citizens are going out on the streets to ask for big changes to the quota system that decides who gets government jobs. At first, the protests were peaceful, with university students wanting to get rid of some job quotas. But soon, the protests grew into a bigger movement against the government. These protests are making people think about fairness, job opportunities, and how the government should help young people.
What is the quota system in Bangladesh?
The quota system was set up in 1972 by Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, the country's founding leader.
How Is the quota distributed?
Under this system, 44 percent of first- and second-class government jobs are based on merit. The remaining 56 percent are reserved for specific communities:
- 30% for the descendants of freedom fighters
- 10% for women
- 10% for “backward” districts (areas that are less developed)
- 5% for ethnic minorities
- 1% for people with disabilities
While the intent behind this system was to honor those who sacrificed for the country’s freedom, many people now argue that it is outdated and discriminatory, especially given the current state of the job market in Bangladesh.
What triggered the recent protests?
The protests began in early July when students from various universities wanted to stop job quotas for government jobs. They thought these quotas made it more difficult for educated young people to get the jobs they deserved based on their abilities. Their demand got stronger after a High Court ruling on June 5, which reintroduced a 30 percent quota for the children of freedom fighters. This quota had been taken away in 2018 after large protests against it.
The High Court's decision made many young people anxious because there is a big problem with unemployment in Bangladesh, with about 18 million young people not having jobs. Feeling frustrated about their few job options, students decided to protest on the streets, which caused a lot of unrest.
How did the protests grow?
Initially, the protests were peaceful. Students organised gatherings and blocked important roads in Dhaka to show their demands. But as things got more tense, fights broke out between the protesters and the police. These clashes became more common and violent. More than 300 people were reported killed during these conflicts, and both the media and the protesters blamed the police for the rising number of deaths.
In response to the protests, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government took strong actions. They shut down the internet in some areas and set a curfew across the whole country. The government also called the protesters "terrorists." This harsh treatment made the protesters even angrier and led to bigger protests.
Who is leading the protests?
The protests are mainly led by students from public and private universities all over Bangladesh. These young people want not just to stop the job quota system but also to make sure that hiring for government jobs is fair and open. Many of them agree that some jobs should be reserved for ethnic minorities and people with disabilities, but they believe that the total percentage of reserved jobs should be lower.
In the report of Al Jazeera, one protester named Faruki said, “We are not against the quota system itself. We just want to change it.” This shows that many students want a fairer job market where people get jobs based on their abilities and skills instead of family connections.
How has the government responded?
The government, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, sees the quota system as an important part of the country's history of fighting for independence. However, her government has been criticised for not allowing people to speak out against her policies and for using harsh methods to control those who disagree with her.
In earlier talks with students, Prime Minister Hasina showed doubt about those who criticised the quota system. She believed they were being used by other political parties that opposed her government. This attitude has created a big gap between the government and young people in Bangladesh, who feel like their opinions and concerns are being ignored.
What happened on August 5, 2024?
On August 5, as the protests became more intense, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and left the country while the military took charge. Her decision came after many people protested against her government, especially about the unpopular quota system. Even though there was a curfew, hundreds of thousands of protesters marched in the streets of Dhaka and even tried to enter the Prime Minister's palace, causing more chaos.
The sad truth is that even though Bangladesh's economy is growing fast and making a lot of money from exports and retail, this growth hasn't created enough jobs for young, educated people. Many young citizens feel ignored and believe that the current system only helps those who are close to the ruling party, the Awami League.
What’s next for Bangladesh?
After Sheikh Hasina stepped down, Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel Prize winner, became the new Prime Minister. The situation in the country is still very tight, with many people continuing to protest. Citizens are asking for big changes that not only fix the quota system but also deal with problems like corruption, unemployment, and violations of human rights.
The protests have shown that many people are really not satisfied with the government and how it takes care of its citizens views. As Bangladesh goes through this change, the young people’s calls for reform and accountability will be very important in deciding what happens in the future of the country.