Bangladesh Violence
Orders to shoot on sight were also issued. However, the Supreme Court of Bangladesh said on Sunday that the students should go back to studying while canceling the reservation quota. More than 150 people died and more than 2,500 were injured in this agitation. The Supreme Court, which investigated the matter, gave a key verdict.
Decision of lower court
Students across Bangladesh are protesting against the quota system in government jobs. The students have raised concerns about significant reservation in jobs for certain groups, including descendants of freedom fighters of the 1971 liberation war. The government originally scrapped these quotas in 2018, but a lower court restored them.
A key judgment of the Supreme Court
The Bangladesh Supreme Court has now overturned the lower court’s decision. Shah Monjurul Hoque, advocate for the students, challenged the quota. The court asked the students to focus on their studies.
In view of the protests, the government has suspended curfew, mobile data and ATM services across Bangladesh. It imposed strict measures including internet shutdown. Officials have also declared public holidays to avoid gathering. The capital Dhaka is under military surveillance. The government issued shoot on site orders to control the riots. This made the situation more difficult.
to be reduced to 10 percent
The existing quota system earmarks 30 per cent government jobs for descendants of freedom fighters, with additional reservations for women, minorities and people from backward areas. The protesters want this quota to be reduced to 10 percent. He argued that more jobs should be given on the basis of merit.
This led to protests in Bangladesh. The protests disrupted daily life. Many residents were forced to leave the country. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina canceled visits to Spain and Brazil due to the violence.
Previously canceled
In 2018, the ruling Sheikh Hasina government abolished the 30 percent reservation policy for descendants of freedom fighters in government jobs. Only 5 percent was reserved for the descendants of freedom fighters and another 2 percent for other communities. But the lower court overruled it. Again, 30 percent quota was restored. This led to protests across Bangladesh.
A large number of people died in the violent incidents of Bangladesh. They came on the roads regardless of the orders to shoot if seen. About 150 people died and more than 2 thousand people were injured. The Supreme Court which inquired into the reservation had quashed the earlier orders of the High Court. The government is already trying hard to control the violence.