Dhaka:On July 14, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sparked controversy with her inflammatory speech in which she referred to protesters as ‘volunteers.’ In Bangladesh, this term is seen as synonymous with treason, referring to individuals who collaborated with Pakistani forces during the 1971 Liberation War. The use of this term was perceived as a serious affront and has been compared to mistakes made by Sheikh Mujib, the founder of Bangladesh, who established a one-party government 50 years ago.
**Background of the Protests**
The recent wave of protests in Bangladesh began in July, led by students demanding the abolition of the quota system for government jobs. Originally introduced to honor soldiers from the 1971 war, the quota system allocated 30% of civil service positions to the children and grandchildren of these soldiers. Additionally, 26% of positions were reserved for women, people from underdeveloped districts, local communities, and individuals with disabilities, leaving only 44% of jobs open to merit-based competition. With around 3 million Bangladeshi youth unemployed, dissatisfaction with the quota system has grown.
**Protest Dynamics and Government Response**
The quota system fostered widespread discontent and frustration. While the protests did not call for the elimination of quotas for disadvantaged and minority groups, they challenged the fairness of the quota reserved for the descendants of ‘freedom fighters,’ accusing the system of being exploited for political gain.
Despite the government’s announcement to abolish the quota system, this move faced legal challenges. On June 5, 2024, the High Court declared the government’s order illegal, leading to widespread student protests that effectively paralyzed the country.
The protests highlight the deep-seated issues in Bangladesh’s civil service recruitment system and the broader dissatisfaction with governance and political manipulation.
