bANGLADESH QUOTA PROTESTS
Why students are protesting?
Bangladesh job reservation protests
Bangladesh job reservation protests
WHAT TRIGGERED THE PROTESTS?
The High Court reinstated a quota system for government jobs, overturning a 2018 decision by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government to scrap it.
WHAT IS THE QUOTA SYSTEM?
Introduced in 1972, Bangladesh's quota system has gone through several changes since. When it was abolished in 2018, 56% of government jobs were blocked under various quotas.
WHAT IS THE STUDENTS DEMAND?
Students are demanding all quota be scrapped apart from that for minorities and physically challenged, totaling 6%.
WHAT DO THE STUDENTS FEAR?
Present president sheikh Hasina is the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh, who led its freedom movement. Protesters and critics say,
- The 30% quota for families of freedom fighters favours Awami League supporters, which led the independence fight.
- Though government has assured challenging the High court verdict, which is at the centre of present controversy, but protesters doubt Government’s true intentions.
- Sheikh Hasina by branding current protestors as Rajakar’s has created sharp divisions in the already fractured population,
Background of the above problems:
- The Bangladesh economy, in pre-covid times, was among the world's fastest growing, has stagnated, inflation hovers around 10% and dollar reserves are shrinking.
- Stagnant job growth in the private sector.
- The quotas shrink the number of government jobs open for all, hurting aspirants who want them filled on the basis of merit.
Facts to know about Bangladesh:
Facts to know about Bangladesh:
- Bangladesh gained Independence in 1971, under the leadership of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father and first president of Bangladesh.
- of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father and first president of Bangladesh.was assassinated after asuccessful army coup whish had tacit support of zia-ur-rehman
- ,the then deputy army general and husband of current opposition leader khaleda Zia. Ziaur Rahman founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (popularly known by its abbreviation BNP)
- Current Prime minister serving her 4th continuous term. In the last election opposition parties did not contest protesting unfairness in conduct of elections.