About the Author(s)
Ayesha Farhat
The author is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Air University, Islamabad.
Introduction:
After the war of independence, the government of Bangladesh executed a policy to allocate the segment of public sector job seats i.e. 56% to the freedom fighters, 10% for underdeveloped districts, 5% for ethnic minorities and 1% for physically disabled people. This policy further extended to provide the job seats to freedom fighter’s children and their grandchildren too(30% for freedom fighters, including their children and grandchildren). Protesters demanded that other than the reservation of ethnic minorities and physical disabilities the government should remove all other reservations. Only 44% of jobs are merit-based which according to the students is an unjust rule for them. The allotment of seats i.e. quota system, has created a sense of fanaticism in the students who struggle for public sector jobs on merit. This declaration has forced the students to protest against the government’s verdict of unfair allocation of job seats. In the initial days, the protests remained serenely undisturbed but then heightened into violence after a few days in June and August.
The 2018 Quota reform protest:
In February 2018, new reforms were demanded in Bangladesh regarding the removal of the quota system in public sector jobs. The protesters contended that the existing policy of the distribution of seats to specific groups is inequity to them and the government needs to reform the policy.
In October 2018, the government issued a circular announcing the removal of the quota system for first and second-class government jobs. This decision imparted opportunities and employment for the students on merit to pursue their jobs by fair means. However, the issue did not end there.
The 2021 petition and reintroduction of Quota system:
In 2021, this issue was raised again when a group of 7 students from the freedom fighters’ family did a petition against the removal of the quota system. They argued that the system was necessary to honor and support those who had sacrificed for the country.
On June 5, 2024, the High Court commanded in favor of the petitioners and canceled the 2018 reforms by reintroducing the quota system.
Political unrest and legacy of Sheikh Haseena:
All these protests within the country have happened under the leadership of Sheikh Haseena who has been in power since 2009 and has faced enough criticism from the citizens for handling this situation and then leaving the country. However, in the governance of Haseena, Bangladesh has made many improvements and social progress which is remarkable but her administration has been criticized for restrictions of free speech, crackdowns on political opponents and use of security forces to suppress those who keep different opinions. Critics have labeled her a “dictator” for imposing unjust policies against the public will which has led to unresting political conditions in the country.
Conclusion:
As Bangladesh continues to evolve, the legacy of its past, including the memories of its independence struggle and the ongoing debates over policies like the quota system, will continue to shape its future. The challenge for the country’s leaders, including Sheikh Haseena, will be to navigate these complexities in a way that promotes unity, justice, and progress for all of Bangladesh’s citizens.
