Bangladesh Supreme Court Scraps Government Job Quotas After Deadly Protests

Bangladesh's Supreme Court has annulled most government job quotas, a focal point of student-led protests that resulted in over 100 deaths. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government initially removed the quota system in 2018, but it was reinstated by a lower court last month, leading to further unrest and a government crackdown.

Bangladesh's Supreme Court on Sunday nullified most government job quotas, addressing a key issue that led to deadly student protests in the country. At least 114 individuals were killed in the turmoil, local media reported.

The court's Appellate Division overturned a lower court's order that had reinstated the quotas, directing that 93% of government jobs be filled on merit.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's administration had initially abolished the quota system in 2018. However, its reinstatement by a lower court sparked protests and a subsequent government crackdown. The immediate reaction of the protesters to the new ruling remains unclear.

In anticipation of the Supreme Court hearing, the government extended a curfew, with soldiers patrolling Dhaka's streets. Internet and text messaging services have been suspended since Thursday. Following the court's decision, the curfew was briefly lifted for supply gathering but remains indefinite.

(With inputs from agencies.)