Students in Bangladesh continue protest for reforms in public jobs

By SM Najmus Sakib

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - Students in Bangladesh on Thursday resumed “Bangla blockade” causing traffic disruption for the 4th day, demanding reforms to the government jobs policy that offers 56% quota.

Hasnat Abdullah, a fresh graduate from the University of Dhaka and one of organizers of the quota reformation movement, called the quota system "discriminatory."

“We demand a merit-based recruitment process. And, we can have a 5% quota reserved for the marginalized or disadvantaged population,” he told Anadolu.

The apex court on Wednesday asked all the parties concerned to maintain status quo for four weeks on the matter and stayed the high court order that reinstated the 30% quota for the descendants of 1971’s war families in the civil service.

“We believe the apex court's new directive is irrelevant to our demand as we categorically called for reformation of the quota system in government jobs not repealing it,” he added.

Instead of court, the protesters are demanding the government's executive decision on the reformation of the quota system.

Meanwhile, the student protests have caused public sufferings as they tried to block bus and train services. Hundreds of people were seen in the capital Dhaka waiting in queue for transports while some others were on foot amid a serious shortage of public transport.

Protesters, however, blamed the government for the situation.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Thursday told reporters in Dhaka that the protesters are “crossing the limit” in the name of protest. He said police would take legal action if they block roads.

A teacher and Dhaka-based analyst, Zahed Ur Rahman, explained that students think some unconstitutional system was hindering their fortune while the private sector is shrinking and getting increasingly incapable of providing good white-collar jobs to educated young people.

“In 2018, the regime abolished all quotas amid protests though the students expected a legitimate reform,” he said.

The constitution of Bangladesh gave the government full authority to restore or abolish the quota. The High Court does not have any jurisdiction on restoring or abolishing quotas, he explained, citing the country’s constitution.​​​​​​​