Recently, there has been an uproar in Bangladesh by the students regarding the reservation for children of the freedom fighters who fought in the independence war of 1971. This quota was earlier abolished in 2018. On June 5, the High Court reinstated the 30% job quota for the families of the war veterans. However, after the violent protests, the Supreme Court reduced it to 5%, and the rest would be based on merit.
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What is the freedom fighter quota?
Following Bangladesh’s independence, a quota system for patriotic heroes was put into place. In 1977, this system was expanded to include the offspring of these heroes, and subsequently, their grandchildren in 2010. Despite attempts to remove the quotas almost completely in 2018, the High Court has reinstated the system for the descendants of military veterans, leading to renewed protests. The High Court Division of the Bangladesh Supreme Court reversed the 2018 ruling, which had eliminated all reservation policies, including the controversial 30 percent quota for those who fought for independence.
Why are the students so against it?
Statistical information from the International Labour Organization (ILO) reveals that nearly a quarter of the 170 million people living in Bangladesh fall into the 15-29 age bracket, with over two-thirds of the population being within the working age range of 15 to 64. Government positions are highly sought after because they offer stability and a guaranteed salary. They advocate for preferential treatment in employment for ethnic minorities and individuals with disabilities.
Within this system, 44 percent of higher-level government positions depend on qualifications and skills, while the remaining 56 percent are set aside for designated groups. The protesters against quotas are calling for the elimination of the 30 percent quota for freedom fighters’ children and desire a system based on merit.
PM calling the protestors ‘Razakars’
In a prompt response to the violence, PM Sheikh Hasina questioned why protesters were against the freedom fighters’ quota and if they thought the advantages should be given to the “grandchildren of razakars,” employing a negative word that holds significant negative historical context. The razakars, also known as “volunteers,” were a paramilitary group established by General Tikka Khan of Pakistan in 1971 to help Islamabad dominate East Pakistan and suppress the liberation movement led by Bangabandhu. In the recollection of Bangladeshis, the razakars are frequently viewed with more animosity than the Pakistani military and government officials.
Government’s response to the protests
The government decided to close all high schools, colleges, madrasahs, and polytechnic institutes under the Department of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education due to increasing violence, for student safety. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina continued to support the quotas, highlighting the contributions of war veterans in 1971 and the impact it had on their families. As of Thursday, mobile internet services have been suspended in Bangladesh as well.
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Supreme Court reverts the verdict
Bangladesh’s highest court reduced a controversial quota system for government job candidates after it caused widespread unrest and lethal clashes between protesters and police, resulting in numerous casualties. The Supreme Court’s ruling decreed that 93% of government job positions must be filled based on merit, while the remaining 5% will be reserved for veterans’ relatives from the 1971 Bangladesh war of independence and 2% for members of ethnic minorities and transgender and disabled people.
About the Author
Ms Eesha Priyadarshini, an aspiring civil servant, is currently a student of political science in LSR, DU. She likes covering news related to politics, religion and international relations with utmost neutrality and sincerity.
