Bangladesh: Nationwide strike announced against quota system in government jobs

Dhaka: Students today announced a nationwide strike against the quota system in government jobs in Bangladesh.

Student protests against the quota system continue in Bangladesh and student organizations have announced a nationwide shutter-down strike today.

On the other hand, two days ago, in the clashes between the anti-quota system protesters and the Pro-Prime Minister Hasina Wajid student wing, the number of dead has increased to 6 and hundreds of students have been injured.

Prime Minister Hasina Wajid has announced the formation of a judicial committee to investigate the death of 6 people.

It should be noted that the protest of thousands of students to end the quota system in government jobs in Bangladesh has been going on for several days.

All schools and colleges in Bangladesh remain closed until further notice, while paramilitary forces have been deployed to control tensions in Dhaka and other cities.

In Bangladesh, 56 percent of government jobs go to quotas, of which 30 percent are reserved for children of 1971 war fighters, 10 percent for women and 10 percent for residents of certain districts.

The students are demanding that government jobs should be given on merit and only 6% quota reserved for minorities and persons with disabilities should be maintained.

The quota system in government jobs in Bangladesh was abolished in 2018, after which similar protests started in the country.

Last month, the High Court ruled to restore the 30 percent quota for children of 1971 war veterans in government jobs, sparking protests.

Now the Supreme Court of Bangladesh has suspended the decision of the High Court for 4 weeks and said that the decision on the matter will be pronounced after 4 weeks.