Bangladesh ends reservation in government jobs after students protested
Giving in to demands of thousands of students, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced about the scrapping of reservation in government jobs. Hasina, however, maintained government will make special arrangements for jobs for minorities and people with disabilities. Agitated students marched towards Dhaka University, blocked roads, bringing the capital to a standstill. Approximately 100 students were injured by tear gas and rubber bullets.
According to students, reservation system was discriminatory
56% of jobs in government organizations in Bangladesh is reserved for children of freedom fighters, women, minorities, those having disabilities, and citizens of backward districts. Students demanded this to come down to 10%. Protesters also wanted that quota benefits shouldn't be used more than once. Following rallies in Dhaka, students in state-run universities in Chittagong, Khulna, Rajshahi, Barisal, Rangpur, and Savar boycotted classes.
This is grave injustice, said protesting students
A protesting student said, "We believe this is an injustice. These special groups represent only two percent of the population while the remaining 98 percent of people fight for 44 percent of jobs."
Angry students bring Dhaka to a standstill, attack vice-chancellor's home
A population of 15 million in Dhaka was affected by the protests. The agitation started on Sunday and by Monday turned violent. The students alleged they were protesting peacefully but police started using batons, water guns and tear gas. Few of the protesters attacked Dhaka University's vice-chancellor's campus residence following which his family had to go in hiding.
Sheikh Hasina condemned attacks but later gave in
Facing the biggest protest in her regime, Sheikh Hasina said those who vandalized properties would be brought to justice. Later, she gave in to students' demands and said, "The quota system will be abolished as the students do not want it."
