Bangladesh Supreme Court Scraps Government Job Quotas After Deadly Protests

Bangladesh's Supreme Court has annulled most government job quotas, a focal point of student-led protests that resulted in over 100 deaths. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government initially removed the quota system in 2018, but it was reinstated by a lower court last month, leading to further unrest and a government crackdown.

Bangladesh's Supreme Court on Sunday nullified most government job quotas, addressing a key issue that led to deadly student protests in the country. At least 114 individuals were killed in the turmoil, local media reported.

The court's Appellate Division overturned a lower court's order that had reinstated the quotas, directing that 93% of government jobs be filled on merit.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's administration had initially abolished the quota system in 2018. However, its reinstatement by a lower court sparked protests and a subsequent government crackdown. The immediate reaction of the protesters to the new ruling remains unclear.

In anticipation of the Supreme Court hearing, the government extended a curfew, with soldiers patrolling Dhaka's streets. Internet and text messaging services have been suspended since Thursday. Following the court’s decision, the curfew was briefly lifted for supply gathering but remains indefinite.