Bangladesh quota reform movement explained

Bangladesh quota reform movement
Date:First phase:
6 June – 18 July 2013
Second phase:
17 February – 18 July 2018
Third phase:
6 June – 3 August 2024
Place:Bangladesh and abroad
Causes:First and Second Phase: Quota system of Bangladesh Civil Service
Third Phase: Reinstating of the pre-2018 quota system
Goals:Reduction of quotas in public sector jobs and education for a merit-based system
Result:First Phase: Not Successful
Second Phase: The government issued a circular reducing reserved quotas for government jobs from 56% to 35% and eliminating the freedom fighters' quota.
Third Phase: The Appellate Division of Supreme Court orders 93% recruitment in government jobs to be based on merit and 5% to be reserved for the children of freedom fighters, martyred freedom fighters and Biranganas, 1% for the ethnic minorities and 1% for the third gender and the disabled people, with the public administration ministry publishing a gazette notification in line with the Supreme Court verdict.
Fatalities:Third phase: 650-1,000+[1] [2] [3]

The quota reform movement in Bangladesh was organized to demand a reduction in government job quotas and shift toward merit-based recruitment.[4] [5] [6] There were three significant protests. The first occurred in 2013, when university students opposed the disproportionate allocation of jobs through quotas.[7] [8] In 2018, a second wave of protests led to a government circular favoring the protesters, but it was later invalidated by the Supreme Court. This sparked a third wave of protests in 2024, during which violent clashes between students, the police, and Chhatra League occurred, contributing to the movement turning into a non-cooperation campaign leading to the fall of the Hasina government.[9] [10] [11]

Background

See main article: Quota system of Bangladesh Civil Service. Quota system was first introduced in 1972 after the independence of Bangladesh in government jobs. At that time, 20% of the merit list was allocated, 40% was district-wise, 30% was allotted to family members of freedom fighters who participated in the freedom struggle of Bangladesh, and 10% was allotted to war-affected women.[12] This quota system was changed several times later.[13]

Previously, Bangladesh has more than 55% quota in various government jobs, including 30% freedom fighter quota, 10% district-wise quota, 10% for women and 5% for minorities.[14] [15] However, as per the rules, if there are no qualified candidates in these quotas, 1% is allocated for the disabled. As a result, only 44% of the candidates were able to secure placement on merit. This leads to dissatisfaction among a large section of general students, as they are being deprived of marks in any examination despite scoring more than the under-quota candidates.

According to the information published in Prothom Alo, the number of registered freedom fighters is 200–250 thousands,[16] that is, the number of freedom fighters is 1.2–1.5 per 1,000 people, which accounts 0.12–0.15% of the entire population. That means, for 0.12% freedom fighters, the quota amount is 30%, converting to thousands, it can be seen that the quota amount is 300 for 1% to 1.5% (one and a half) freedom fighters among 1,000 people.

Outcome

In the wake of the 2018 protests, the cabinet of the government of Bangladesh on 3 October 2018, issued a circular dismissing the quota system for recruitment in the ninth to thirteenth grades (formerly known as first and second class jobs).[17] [18] On 30 July 2019, the government said, there is no quota in recruitment in 1st and 2nd class post (9th to 13th grade) at present, the quota for the post of 3rd and 4th class (14th to 20th grade) is still in force, but if no candidate of the relevant quota is found, it has to be filled from the merit list of the general candidate.[19] In addition to clarifying the previous circular on quotas issued on 20 January 2020, the cabinet also approved a proposal provided by the Ministry of Public Administration to cancel quotas on direct appointments to eighth or higher grade posts in government jobs.[20]

On 21 July 2024, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court ordered an overhaul to the quota reservation system. It increased merit appointments in the civil service to 93% and reduced slots allotted for descendants of veterans of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War to 5%, with the remainder going to ethnic minorities, the disabled and third gender people.[21] [22] [23]

On 23 July 2024, the Ministry of Public Administration published a gazette notification[24] [25] in line with the Supreme Court verdict on the quota system in government jobs.[26] [27] [28] Law minister Anisul Huq said the new quota system will be followed while recruiting employees directly in all government, semi-government, autonomous and semi-autonomous institutions, statutory bodies and different corporations.[29] [30] [31]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: More than 1,000 killed in Bangladesh violence since July, health ministry chief says. Reuters. 29 August 2024.
  2. Preliminary Analysis of Recent Protests and Unrest in Bangladesh . 6–7 . . 2024-08-16 . According to available public reports by media and the protest movement itself, between 16 July and 11 August, more than 600 people were killed. Of these, nearly 400 deaths were reported from 16 July to 4 August, while around 250 people were reportedly killed following the new wave of protests between 5 and 6 August. [...] The reported death toll is likely an underestimate, as information collection has been hindered by restrictions on movement due to the curfew and the internet shutdown. Furthermore, hospitals were reportedly prevented by State authorities from providing details of those killed and injured. The majority of deaths and injuries have been attributed to the security forces and the student wing affiliated with the Awami League..
  3. News: Bangladesh protests: Death toll climbs to 440 as army tries to bring situation under control . The Hindu . 8 August 2024 . en.
  4. News: Tens of Thousands of Students Protest Job Quotas in Bangladesh's Streets . The New York Times . 11 July 2024 . Hasnat . Saif.
  5. News: Bangladesh's top court scales back government jobs quota after deadly unrest that has killed scores . 25 July 2024 . Washington Post . 21 July 2024.
  6. News: Here's what to know about the violent protests over government jobs roiling Bangladesh . 25 July 2024 . Washington Post . 19 July 2024.
  7. News: An Unbending Leader's Crackdown Rains Carnage on Bangladesh . The New York Times . Mashal . Mujib.
  8. News: bn:কোটা সংস্কার আন্দোলন : নতুন কর্মসূচি ঘোষণা . https://www.dailynayadiganta.com/education/849914/%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%82%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%98%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%B7%E0%A6%A3%E0%A6%BE . 2024-07-17 . Daily Naya Diganta . bn.
  9. News: 2024-07-17 . bn:ঢামেকের জরুরি বিভাগে ঢুকে শিক্ষার্থীদের ওপর ছাত্রলীগের হামলা . https://www.ittefaq.com.bd/693800/%E0%A6%A2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF-%E . 2024-07-17 . The Daily Ittefaq . bn.
  10. News: 2024-07-15 . bn:কোটা আন্দোলন: ঢাকার বাইরের ক্যাম্পাসেও ছাত্রলীগের হামলা, মঙ্গলবার বিক্ষোভ ঘোষণা . https://www.bbc.com/bengali/articles/cd1er14ljr1o . 2024-07-17 . BBC News বাংলা . bn.
  11. News: 2024-07-16 . bn:কোটা আন্দোলন: জাহাঙ্গীরনগরে মধ্যরাত পর্যন্ত সংঘর্ষ ও হামলা, শিক্ষক গুলিবিদ্ধ হওয়ার অভিযোগ . https://www.bbc.com/bengali/articles/clwy9jqnzyzo . 2024-07-17 . BBC News বাংলা . bn.
  12. News: 2018-03-08 . bn:'আপাতত' কোটা সংস্কার নয় . https://samakal.com/bangladesh/article/1803566/%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%A4-%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BC . 2024-07-17 . Samakal . bn.
  13. News: 2024-07-17 . bn:সরকারি চাকরিতে কোটা সংস্কার সময়ের দাবি . . bn . https://www.dw.com/bn/%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%9F%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF/a-42733107 . 2024-07-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240717194652/https://www.dw.com/bn/%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%9F%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF/a-42733107 . 2024-07-17.
  14. News: 2018-03-23 . bn:কোটা সংস্কার আন্দোলন ও কর্মসংস্থান . http://bonikbarta.net/bangla/news/2018-03-23/152097/%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%93-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A5%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8/ . Bonik Barta . bn . 2024-07-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180323092837/http://bonikbarta.net/bangla/news/2018-03-23/152097/%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%93-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A5%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8/ . 2018-03-23.
  15. News: 2018-04-11 . bn:কোটা সংস্কারের দাবিতে শাহবাগ রণক্ষেত্র . https://www.jugantor.com/capital/36460/%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%97-%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A3%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B7%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0 . Jugantor . bn . 2024-07-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180411171458/https://www.jugantor.com/capital/36460/%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%97-%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A3%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B7%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0 . 2018-04-11.
  16. News: 2018-03-04 . bn:চাকরিতে কোটা বিরোধিতার যুক্তি . https://www.prothomalo.com/opinion/column/%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%A7%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AF%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF . 2024-07-18 . Prothom Alo . bn.
  17. News: bn:বাংলাদেশের সরকারি চাকরিতে কোটা ব্যবস্থা বাতিল নিয়ে সর্বশেষ পাঁচটি তথ্য (The latest five facts about the abolition of quota system in government service in Bangladesh) . https://www.bbc.com/bengali/amp/news-45745812 . 29 April 2020 . . 4 October 2018 . bn.
  18. News: Completely on merit . 4 October 2018 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240725133000/https://www.thedailystar.net/country/quota-system-in-bangladesh-cabinet-approves-scrapping-it-top-govt-jobs-1642021 . 25 July 2024.
  19. News: bn:চাকরিতে কোটা নিয়ে বিভ্রান্তি দূর করল সরকার (The government removed the confusion about job quotas) . https://www.jugantor.com/national/205810/চাকরিতে-কোটা-নিয়ে-বিভ্রান্তি-দূর-করল-সরকার . 29 April 2020 . . 1 August 2019 . bn.
  20. News: bn:চাকরিতে অষ্টম গ্রেড বা ওপরের পদেও কোটা থাকবে না (There will be no quota in the job for eighth grade or above also) . https://www.prothomalo.com/amp/bangladesh/article/1635363/%25E0%25A6%259A%25E0%25A6%25BE%25E0%25A6%2595%25E0%25A6%25B0%25E0%25A6%25BF%25E0%25A6%25A4%25E0%25A7%2587-%25E0%25A7%25AE%25E0%25A6%25AE-%25E0%25A6%2597%25E0%25A7%258D%25E0%25A6%25B0%25E0%25A7%2587%25E0%25A6%25A1-%25E0%25A6%25AC%25E0%25A6%25BE-%25E0%25A6%2593%25E0%25A6%25AA%25E0%25A6%25B0%25E0%25A7%2587%25E0%25A6%25B0-%25E0%25A6%25AA%25E0%25A6%25A6%25E0%25A7%2587%25E0%25A6%2593-%25E0%25A6%2595%25E0%25A7%258B%25E0%25A6%259F%25E0%25A6%25BE-%25E0%25A6%25A5%25E0%25A6%25BE%25E0%25A6%2595%25E0%25A6%25AC%25E0%25A7%2587-%25E0%25A6%25A8%25E0%25A6%25BE . 29 April 2020 . . 20 January 2020 . bn.
  21. News: Bangladesh's top court rolls back some job quotas after deadly protests . CNN.
  22. News: Bangladesh's top court scales back 'discriminatory' job quota system after deadly protests . France24.
  23. News: Bangladesh Protests: Bangladesh's Supreme Court scraps most job quotas that triggered deadly protests . The Hindu.
  24. Web site: bn:নং-০৫.০০.০০০০.১৭০.১১.০১৪.২৪-১৪১।--সরকারি, আধাসরকারি, স্বায়ত্তশাসিত/আধা-স্বায়ত্তশাসিত প্রতিষ্ঠান, স্ব-শাসিত ও সংবিধিবদ্ধ কর্তৃপক্ষের এবং বিভিন্ন কর্পোরেশনের চাকুরিতে/কর্মে সরাসরি নিয়োগের ক্ষেত্রে সরকারের বিদ্যমান কোটা পদ্ধতি সংশোধন . Department of Printing and Publications - Bangladesh Government Press . www.dpp.gov.bd . Bangladesh Government Press . 24 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240724170936/https://www.dpp.gov.bd/bgpress/index.php/document/get_extraordinary/55136 . 24 July 2024 . live . bn .
  25. Web site: https://www.dpp.gov.bd/upload_file/gazettes/55136_72383.pdf . bn:সরকারি, আধাসরকারি, স্বায়ত্তশাসিত/আধা-স্বায়ত্তশাসিত প্রতিষ্ঠান, স্ব-শাসিত ও সংবিধিবদ্ধ কর্তৃপক্ষের এবং বিভিন্ন কর্পোরেশনের চাকুরিতে/কর্মে সরাসরি নিয়োগের ক্ষেত্রে সরকারের বিদ্যমান কোটা পদ্ধতি সংশোধন . https://web.archive.org/web/20240724170838/https://www.dpp.gov.bd/upload_file/gazettes/55136_72383.pdf . 24 July 2024 . bn.
  26. News: Govt issues circular cutting all job quotas to 7 per cent . The Financial Express . Dhaka.
  27. News: Govt issues notification on reformed quota system in public service | News . Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha.
  28. News: Quota in govt jobs: New system applicable for all grades . 24 July 2024 . The Daily Star . 24 July 2024 . en.
  29. News: Govt issues notification on reformed quota system in public service . Daily Sun . July 2024.
  30. News: Law Minister: Notification on reformed quota system issued following apex court verdict . . 24 July 2024.
  31. News: Gazette notification issued prioritizing merit in govt jobs . 24 July 2024 . United News of Bangladesh.

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