Following weeks of vigorous agitation, it appears the students protesting for reform within the government job quota system are finally going to have their demands met.
With the Supreme Court ruling already laying the groundwork earlier, the circular for the quota reformation has already been approved by the highest seat of the government.
Hindsight suggests that the death and destruction we witnessed over the past week or so could have been avoided had the government not taken such a hard line against the student protesters. The demands of the protesting students were never beyond the line, as the government itself has said many times.
With the primary demand of the student movement having been met, the streets are finally showing signs of normalcy while relative order has seemingly been established back in the country.
Now is the time for the government to look to the future.
With the circular regarding the quota reforms having been passed, the only question that now remains is one of implementation. It needs to take a more measured approach to subjects such as quotas without dismissing the voices of those affected. Thankfully, it is clear that the administration is indeed capable of listening to reason.
However, all the instability that the nation had to endure in reaching this conclusion needs to be investigated and those responsible for adding fuel to the fire must be brough to justice. The responsibility, then, lies squarely on the government.
While our students have once again proven just how effective civil disobedience can be in getting a positive change made, we hope they can go back to school soon and work on building themselves up as our future leaders.
Let’s get back to business.
This editorial piece was first published in the print edition of Dhaka Tribune on July 24, 2024.