For several days, students of public universities have been holding protests demanding the abolishment of the quota system in government jobs.
They have blocked roads and highways, presenting their demands to the government.
These protests and movements are not new and have been going on for several years.
Quota reinstatement: University students announce class, exam boycottThe quota system itself was introduced in 1972 by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in a country ravaged by war, as a recognition of its freedom fighters.
The following year, a movement began demanding the cancellation of this system, and it has continued on and off ever since.
Various governments have reformed, modified, and changed this quota system at different times instead of permanently abolishing it.
2018 quota reform
As of 2018, there was a 56% quota in government jobs in the country.
Of this, 30% of seats were reserved for descendants of freedom fighters, 10% for women, 10% for residents of backward districts, 5% for people from minority groups, and 1% for disabled people.
That year, massive protests were held at various educational institutions across the country demanding quota reforms.
The agitating students demanded that the quota system be reformed and reduced from 56% to 10%.
Quota reinstatement: RU students take position on Dhaka-Rajshahi highwayThe government, in the wake of the student movement, eliminated all forms of quota to ensure the recruitment of meritorious and qualified individuals for positions in grades nine to 13 (formerly known as first and second-class jobs) in government employment.
However, quotas for third and fourth-class posts (grades 14 to 20) remained in effect.
This means, that if no candidate from the relevant quota is found, those positions will be filled from the merit list of general candidates -- a decision taken by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on October 3, 2018.
The next day, the government issued a circular abolishing all the 56% quotas in public service in response to the protests by public university students and job seekers.
Writ challenges the abolition
In 2021, a group of children of freedom fighters filed a writ petition in the High Court challenging the abolition of the freedom fighters' quota in that circular.
In the decision of that writ, the court declared that part of the circular invalid on June 5 this year.
In response to the verdict, the anti-quota movement among university students has intensified.
Meanwhile, the state has applied to the Appellate Division seeking suspension of the verdict.
Top court upholds HC verdict reinstating FF quota in govt jobsHowever, after the preliminary hearing on June 9, the application was sent to the regular bench of the Appellate Division.
On Thursday, the appellate bench led by Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan upheld the chamber court’s decision on the freedom fighter quota. Consequently, the High Court's verdict remains in effect for now.
As a result, the 30% quota for freedom fighters in government jobs (grades 9 to 13) will remain in place.
Protesting the verdict, the agitating students of various universities have made an announcement to continue their movement unless their demand is met.
They want to reinstate the law of 2018 by abolishing the freedom fighter quota in government jobs, and have urged the formation of a committee to reform the quota system.
In this regard, Nahid Islam, a sociology student at Dhaka University and a representative of the protesters, said they will continue their movement till the government accepts their demands.
What officials say
Talking with Dhaka Tribune, officials of the Public Service Commission (PSC) said nine years ago, they shared their observations in a report to the government to ease the quota system so that they could recruit qualified candidates.
JnU students block Ray Shaheb Bazar intersection over quota reinstatementWhen asked, on condition of anonymity, two former PSC chairmen told this reporter on Thursday that the decision is ultimately up to the government; if the government wants, the issue can be resolved at any time.
What is in the constitution
Article 29 (1) of Part III of the Constitution of Bangladesh states that there shall be equality of opportunity for all citizens in the employment or promotion of public works.
Clause (a) of Article 29 (3) says: “Nothing in this article shall prevent the state from making special provision in favour of any backward section of citizens for the purpose of securing their adequate representation in the service of the republic.”
Experts believe that the context in which the quota system was initially introduced has changed significantly.
They warn that if the country fails to properly evaluate qualified manpower, it will face increased “brain drain,” which will have a greater impact on the economy.
