Bangladesh’s Supreme Court has made a significant ruling to scale back the controversial quota system for government jobs, which has been at the center of deadly protests across the country. The court ordered that the quota reserved for relatives of independence war veterans be reduced from 30% to 5%, with 93% of jobs now to be allocated based on merit. The remaining 2% will be set aside for ethnic minorities, transgender individuals, and people with disabilities.This decision comes after weeks of nationwide unrest that has resulted in a staggering death toll, with reports ranging from 103 to 155 fatalities. The government had previously imposed a curfew, shut down internet services, and deployed the army to maintain order. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan announced a temporary relaxation of the stay-at-home order to allow people to run essential errands.Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, student protesters, led by the group ‘Students Against Discrimination’, have refused to back down. They are demanding the complete abolition of the quota system, the release of detained student leaders, and the restoration of internet and cellular services. The protests have posed the most serious challenge to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government since her re-election in January.In response to the escalating situation, the Indian government has taken action to protect its citizens. The Ministry of External Affairs announced the evacuation of over 4,500 Indian students from Bangladesh. The evacuation also included citizens from Nepal, Maldives, and Bhutan.As the crisis continues to unfold, there are calls for India to play a more active role in resolving the situation. Some analysts argue that India has a responsibility to maintain peace and stability in the region and should counsel Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to adopt a more measured approach.The ongoing unrest in Bangladesh highlights the deep-rooted issues surrounding the quota system and raises questions about the government’s ability to address the concerns of its young population. As the situation remains volatile, the international community watches closely, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
Key points
- Bangladesh’s Supreme Court reduced the job quota for independence war veterans’ relatives from 30% to 5%.
- Despite the court’s decision, student protests continue, demanding further reforms.
- The Indian government has evacuated over 4,500 Indian students from Bangladesh due to the ongoing unrest.
- The death toll from the protests ranges from 103 to 155, according to various reports.
Contradictions👾There are discrepancies in the reported death toll, with numbers ranging from 103 to 155.
👾While some sources report that the quota for ethnic minorities and disabled people is 2%, another source states it has been reduced to 1%.
