Violence over reservation in government jobs in Bangladesh, 6 people died, why is there a ruckus over the reservation system?

Violence in Bangladesh

Violence in Bangladesh Over reservation: There is massive chaos and deaths in major cities of Bangladesh over the demand for reform in the reservation system in government jobs. At least six people, including three students, were killed and over 100 others injured on Tuesday in clashes between police and people protesting against the reservation. Authorities were forced to call in paramilitary Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel in four major cities on Tuesday. Earlier, hundreds of policemen were deployed at public university campuses across the country overnight.

BGB soldiers had to be called

Police and media reported two more deaths in the capital Dhaka and the northeastern port city of Chattogram, after four others were killed in the capital, Chattogram and northwestern Rangpur. At least three of the dead were reported to be students. Authorities were forced to call in paramilitary Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) troops in four major cities on Tuesday. Hundreds of policemen were deployed overnight at public university campuses across the country.

Schools and colleges will remain closed till further orders

Meanwhile, the government has ordered the closure of schools and colleges till further orders in view of the increasing violence. “Keeping in view the safety of the students, all high schools, colleges, madrasas and ‘polytechnic’ institutions under the Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Department will remain closed till further orders,” an Education Ministry spokesperson said. The clashes began on Monday when activists of the student wing of the ruling Awami League clashed with protesters. The protesters were insisting that the current reservation system was largely preventing the enrolment of meritorious students in government services.

Road and rail routes disrupted in four cities

Protesters blocked highways and railways in four major cities – central Dhaka, northwestern Rajshahi, southwestern Khulna and Chattogram. Dhaka University students have taken the lead in a week-long protest over recruitment to Class I and Class II government jobs. The students are demanding that the existing reservation system be reformed and seats be filled on the basis of merit. Protesters said they were peacefully protesting at two government universities in Dhaka and its outskirts on Monday when they were attacked by ruling party student activists with sticks, stones and knives.

What is the current reservation system?

Under the current reservation system, 30 per cent of jobs are reserved for children and grandchildren of heroes of Bangladesh’s 1971 independence war, 10 per cent for administrative districts, 10 per cent for women, five per cent for ethnic minority groups and one per cent for physically disabled people. The reservation system also provides for reservation in government jobs for women, persons with disabilities and ethnic minority groups. The system was suspended in 2018, prompting similar protests at the time. But last month, Bangladesh’s High Court ordered the restoration of a 30 per cent quota for family members of heroes who fought in the independence war. This triggered fresh protests.

Opposition to reservation for descendants of freedom fighters

The protesters are supporting a six percent quota for differently abled people and ethnic groups, but they are against reservation for descendants of freedom fighters. Last week, the Supreme Court stayed the High Court order for four weeks and the Chief Justice asked the protesters to end the protest and return to their classes. The Supreme Court has said that it will decide on the issue after four weeks. Despite this, the protests continue.