Protests over Bangladesh's controversial civil service job quota system turned violent this week, leaving at least six people dead and dozens injured. Students have been on campus and in the streets demanding that the government replace the system, which has for decades set aside a certain percentage of government jobs for descendants of those who fought in the country's war of independence from Pakistan in 1971, with one that favors merit instead.
The unrest has led many of Bangladesh's top universities to close until further notice, including Dhaka University in the capital city of the same name. It has been a focal point of the violence, with ongoing clashes between police and students.
As the Associated Press reports, on Wednesday, which is a public holiday in Bangladesh, protestors vowed to enact "a complete shutdown" of the country on Thursday in response to the aforementioned killings. One of the organizers, Asif Mahmud, said only hospitals, fire departments, and other essential services would be allowed to continue operating as usual.
The quota system was paused by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League government in 2018 due to student protests, however in June the nation's High Court reinstated it following petitions filed by family members of veterans. It was this move that set the latest round of demonstrations in motion. The Supreme Court is set to rule on the matter on August 7.
Under the system, around 30 percent of government jobs were reserved for relatives of veterans from the war, and while officials have claimed the selection process has been unbiased, many have claimed that it favors those with allegiance to the ruling party.
As Reuters reports, Bangladesh has one of the highest unemployment rates, with 32 million young people not working or in school. As the problem persists, many have accuses the government of not doing enough to ensure all jobs are open to all people.
The unrest has led many of Bangladesh's top universities to close until further notice, including Dhaka University in the capital city of the same name. It has been a focal point of the violence, with ongoing clashes between police and students.
As the Associated Press reports, on Wednesday, which is a public holiday in Bangladesh, protestors vowed to enact "a complete shutdown" of the country on Thursday in response to the aforementioned killings. One of the organizers, Asif Mahmud, said only hospitals, fire departments, and other essential services would be allowed to continue operating as usual.
The quota system was paused by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League government in 2018 due to student protests, however in June the nation's High Court reinstated it following petitions filed by family members of veterans. It was this move that set the latest round of demonstrations in motion. The Supreme Court is set to rule on the matter on August 7.
Under the system, around 30 percent of government jobs were reserved for relatives of veterans from the war, and while officials have claimed the selection process has been unbiased, many have claimed that it favors those with allegiance to the ruling party.
As Reuters reports, Bangladesh has one of the highest unemployment rates, with 32 million young people not working or in school. As the problem persists, many have accuses the government of not doing enough to ensure all jobs are open to all people.
