In a recent turn of events, the Bangladeshi government has announced that the Quota system has been abolished. This rule applies specifically to government services after the student protests.
What Prompted Such A Move By The Government?
56% quota, 44% merit!
The country-wide demand for quota reform in civil service by the youth students is a timely demand. I stand with these students. I strongly condemn the attack on the students who have been demonstrating reform peacefully.#QuotaReformProtest #Bangladesh pic.twitter.com/NxH2m6OIKi
— Osama Bin Noor (@OsamaBinNoor) April 9, 2018
Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh, made the announcement after thousands of students organized marches across the country to abolish the rather controversial policy of reservation in jobs for backward minority groups.
Violence In Dhaka
#QuotaReformProtest
speechless!! pic.twitter.com/jrjkF3Xhdg— rabbani (@mdrabba39024096) April 9, 2018
Large groups of students attacked shops, blocked roads and created havoc everywhere. Police was deployed in critical areas and the crowd was controlled with the help of tear gas and rubber bullets.
Violence In Dhaka University
#CentralCommittee of #QuotaReformProtest
Why we are on street again:
1. They called 98% of students 'descent of war-criminals.
2. Today's contradictory speech of Finance minister.
3. They didn't release the captives.
4. They didn't take the responsibility of injureds. pic.twitter.com/wEyn6ApGag— Eshna Binte Ali (@Esh_Na_) April 10, 2018
The protests began from the university campus on Sunday when the house of the Vice Chancellor was attacked. The prime minister announced that all exams and classes would be cancelled until the situation is brought into control.
Related Events
A host of government related websites were apparently hacked along with the website of the Presidential palace. The pages were then replaced with webpages which include the quota reforms along with snaps of the ongoing protests. Thousands of students block several railway tracks especially of the south-eastern port city. This has caused a lot of inconvenience in major cities such as Khulna, Comilla, Kushita, etc. to name a few.
Large Influx Of Female Protestors
#Update: The demand for quota reform in civil service gains momentum and fuels protests in other parts of the country as well. #quotareformbd #QuotaReformProtest #Bangladesh pic.twitter.com/9NXNa4g9WP
— Nurunnaby Chowdhury (@nhasive) April 9, 2018
A large number of female protesters were drawn into the protests this time. They began demanding more opportunities in public services. The prime minister stressed that these girls will get good jobs if they pass the right examinations. They were happier with the fact that no such quota was demanded but rather, they stressed for more opportunities within the public services sector.
Protests Still Continue
https://twitter.com/exol_pcyana/status/983376061504172033
The protests have still continued despite the government promising that the quota system will be revised further. The students rejected the idea and have demanded an immediate government announcement for the same. What do you think about these protests and quota reservation systems? Let us know in the comments below. Reservation system prevails in India too – Read and share your opinions on if it is needed or not.
