Bangladesh’s top court was scheduled to announce a verdict on Sunday regarding the civil service hiring rules that led to clashes between police and university students, resulting in the death of 151 people.
Initially a protest against politicized admission quotas for government jobs, the situation escalated into one of the worst unrests during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s tenure.
Soldiers were deployed in cities across Bangladesh as riot police struggled to maintain order. A nationwide internet blackout has limited the communication with the outside world since Thursday.
The Supreme Court was in session on Sunday with an expected decision on whether to eliminate the controversial job quotas.
Prime Minister Hasina hinted at the scrapping of the scheme following the mounting crackdown and rising death toll.
However, amidst the public anger and demands for government resignation, a favorable verdict is unlikely to pacify the situation.
Young business owner Hasibul Sheikh, 24, expressed frustration at the ongoing protests in Dhaka, emphasizing the call for the government’s resignation.
The unrest was sparked by a system that reserves over half of civil service positions for specific groups, including children of veterans from the 1971 liberation war against Pakistan.
Critics argue that the scheme favors families loyal to Hasina and her government, accused of using state institutions to maintain power and suppress dissent.
– ‘Made the situation worse’ –
With a lack of employment opportunities for Bangladesh’s large population, the quota system has fueled resentment among young graduates facing a job crisis.
Hasina’s comparison of protesters to collaborators with Pakistan during the 1971 war added fuel to the fire, worsening the situation according to Crisis Group’s Asia director.
Violence escalated throughout the week, leading to numerous casualties and arrests, prompting the extension of a curfew across the country.
American diplomats have been warned against traveling to Bangladesh due to the civil unrest, with plans to evacuate some embassy staff and their families.
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