Bangladesh quota reform movement

This article is about the overall movement occuring since 2013. For the most recent protests in July 2024, see 2024 Bangladesh quota reform movement.
Bangladesh quota reform movement
A protester in the 2024 movement carrying the Bangladeshi flag with the slogan "One point one demand, Quota not come back" written on his body.
A rally of female student protesters in BUET during the 2018 movement, with the protest sign written "Reform Quota".
DateFirst phase:
6 June – 18 July 2013
Second phase:
17 February – 18 July 2018
Third phase:
6 June – 3 August 2024
Location
Bangladesh and abroad
Caused byFirst and Second Phase: Quota system of Bangladesh Civil Service
Third Phase: Reinstating of the pre-2018 quota system
GoalsReduction of quotas in public sector jobs and education for a merit-based system
Methods
Resulted inFirst Phase: Not Successful
Second Phase: The government issued a circular reducing reserved quotas for government jobs from 56% to 35% and eliminating the freedom fighters' quota.
Third Phase: The Appellate Division of Supreme Court orders 93% recruitment in government jobs to be based on merit and 5% to be reserved for the children of freedom fighters, martyred freedom fighters and Biranganas, 1% for the ethnic minorities and 1% for the third gender and the disabled people, with the public administration ministry publishing a gazette notification in line with the Supreme Court verdict.
Casualties
Death(s)Third phase: 650-1,000+[2][3][4]

The quota reform movement in Bangladesh was organized to demand a reduction in government job quotas and shift toward merit-based recruitment.[5][6][7] There were three significant protests. The first occurred in 2013, when university students opposed the disproportionate allocation of jobs through quotas.[8][9] In 2018, a second wave of protests led to a government circular favoring the protesters, but it was later invalidated by the Supreme Court. This sparked a third wave of protests in 2024, during which violent clashes between students, the police, and Chhatra League occurred, contributing to the movement turning into a non-cooperation campaign leading to the fall of the Hasina government.[10][11][12]

  1. ^ "Remittance boycott putting significant pressure on reserves". Dhaka Tribune. 30 July 2024.
  2. ^ "More than 1,000 killed in Bangladesh violence since July, health ministry chief says". Reuters. 29 August 2024.
  3. ^ Preliminary Analysis of Recent Protests and Unrest in Bangladesh (Report). Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. 2024-08-16. pp. 6–7. According to available public reports by media and the protest movement itself, between 16 July and 11 August, more than 600 people were killed. Of these, nearly 400 deaths were reported from 16 July to 4 August, while around 250 people were reportedly killed following the new wave of protests between 5 and 6 August. [...] The reported death toll is likely an underestimate, as information collection has been hindered by restrictions on movement due to the curfew and the internet shutdown. Furthermore, hospitals were reportedly prevented by State authorities from providing details of those killed and injured. The majority of deaths and injuries have been attributed to the security forces and the student wing affiliated with the Awami League.
  4. ^ "Bangladesh protests: Death toll climbs to 440 as army tries to bring situation under control". The Hindu. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  5. ^ Hasnat, Saif (11 July 2024). "Tens of Thousands of Students Protest Job Quotas in Bangladesh's Streets". The New York Times.
  6. ^ "Bangladesh's top court scales back government jobs quota after deadly unrest that has killed scores". Washington Post. 21 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  7. ^ "Here's what to know about the violent protests over government jobs roiling Bangladesh". Washington Post. 19 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  8. ^ Mashal, Mujib. "An Unbending Leader's Crackdown Rains Carnage on Bangladesh". The New York Times.
  9. ^ কোটা সংস্কার আন্দোলন : নতুন কর্মসূচি ঘোষণা. Daily Naya Diganta (in Bengali). Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  10. ^ ঢামেকের জরুরি বিভাগে ঢুকে শিক্ষার্থীদের ওপর ছাত্রলীগের হামলা. The Daily Ittefaq (in Bengali). 2024-07-17. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  11. ^ কোটা আন্দোলন: ঢাকার বাইরের ক্যাম্পাসেও ছাত্রলীগের হামলা, মঙ্গলবার বিক্ষোভ ঘোষণা. BBC News বাংলা (in Bengali). 2024-07-15. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  12. ^ কোটা আন্দোলন: জাহাঙ্গীরনগরে মধ্যরাত পর্যন্ত সংঘর্ষ ও হামলা, শিক্ষক গুলিবিদ্ধ হওয়ার অভিযোগ. BBC News বাংলা (in Bengali). 2024-07-16. Retrieved 2024-07-17.