Bangladesh Supreme Court Overturns Government Job Quota System Amid Protests

The Bangladesh Supreme Court has nullified most of the government job quotas that sparked student-led protests, resulting in over 100 deaths. The ruling comes after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government initially scrapped the quota system in 2018, only for it to be reinstated by a lower court last month, triggering widespread unrest.

Bangladesh's Supreme Court on Sunday nullified most of the government job quotas, which had ignited deadly student-led protests, killing at least 114 people, local media reported. The court's Appellate Division dismissed a lower court order that had reinstated the quotas, allowing 93% of government jobs to be available based on merit rather than quotas.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government had abolished the quota system in 2018, but it was reinstated by the lower court last month, leading to protests and a severe government crackdown. The vicinity of the Supreme Court was quiet following the decision, with army units stationed throughout Dhaka, according to a Reuters witness. Television footage showed a tank positioned at the Supreme Court gate.

Earlier in the day, local media reported isolated clashes between protesters and security forces. The government had imposed and extended a curfew as it awaited the Supreme Court's decision on the job quotas. Military patrols were evident on Dhaka's streets, the epicenter of demonstrations that escalated into conflicts.

Internet and text messaging services in Bangladesh have been suspended since Thursday, isolating the nation as police suppressed protesters defying a ban on public gatherings. The Friday night curfew was extended to Sunday afternoon and was expected to last for an uncertain period after a brief recess for people to gather essentials, according to local media.

Reuters was unable to confirm the future of the curfew following the ruling. The Supreme Court instructed the government to reduce the job quotas for families of independence war veterans from 30% to 5%, with the remaining 2% reserved for underrepresented groups and the disabled.