Govt to Formally Accept SC Decision on Job Quotas, Says PM Hasina

Photo: AFP

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government is poised to officially accept the Supreme Court's ruling that eliminated most government job quotas, a contentious issue that recently ignited deadly nationwide protests.

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The Supreme Court's Appellate Division on Sunday overturned a lower court decision that had reinstated the quotas. The ruling now mandates that government jobs be allocated based on merit, not quotas. This decision marks a significant shift from the previous system, which had set aside nearly 60% of positions for specific groups, including families of those who fought in the 1971 war of independence.

The court's ruling has been met with violent demonstrations, resulting in nearly 150 deaths during clashes between protesters and law enforcement. The unrest was triggered by a high court decision last month that restored the quota system, which led to widespread protests demanding its reversal.

In response to the court ruling, the student group spearheading the protests suspended their demonstrations for 48 hours on Monday. Their leader emphasized that they did not wish for reforms to come at the cost of so many lives. Despite the suspension, the group has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the government, demanding a public apology from PM Hasina and the reopening of university campuses closed during the unrest.

Calm has returned to Dhaka and other major cities for a second consecutive day, thanks to a curfew and an internet and telecom shutdown imposed by the government following the protests. The army chief, who conducted an aerial inspection of the capital, confirmed that while the situation is improving, security remains a concern. Officials have announced a temporary relaxation of the curfew for four hours each afternoon to allow residents to purchase essentials.

The government's formal acceptance of the Supreme Court's ruling is expected to be published on Tuesday, addressing one of the protesters' demands. PM Hasina has attributed the violence to her political opponents and stated that the curfew would be lifted as conditions improve.