Amid countrywide protests demanding reforms to quotas in government jobs, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced to abolish the existing system allowing posts reserved under certain categories.
“There will be no quotas, since all the fuss about it,” she told the parliament on Wednesday.
The announcement came as the demonstrations of students and job-seekers grinded capital Dhaka to a halt with protesters across the country blocking highways and rail tracks bringing the country down to its knees.
According to the existing system, 56 percent posts are reserved for different quotas, including 30 percent for children of freedom fighters, 10 percent each for women and particular districts, 5 percent for small ethnic groups, and 1 percent for people with disabilities.
The protesters’ demanded reforms, which included 10 percent posts reserved for different quotas, but the government has decided to abolish the entire system.
“Call for reforms will come if quota exists. If we reform it now, some other group in future will once again want it to be revised. So, there’s no need for quotas,” Hasina said. “Let me make it clear, the quota system is abolished.”
The demonstrations demanding reforms entered the fourth consecutive day on Wednesday and brought key roads in Dhaka to a standstill.
A delegation from the protests had met with Minister Obaidul Quader on Monday to discuss their demands and had postponed the protests until May 7.
But another faction of the demonstrators refused to call off their programmes until the demands were met and reversed the decision to halt the protest on Tuesday.
During Wednesday’s question-and-answer session, the prime minister described the protests as irrational despite the government’s assurances.
“They have protested enough,” Hasina said. “Let them go home.”
Condemning violence on the Dhaka University campus, especially the attack on the vice-chancellor’s residence, she said that the heinous act will not go unpunished.
“We must have justice for this vandalism and looting. We will find those who were involved and the students must help us do so.”