Bangladesh quota reform movement

Bangladesh Quota Reform Movement was organized to demand reduction of quota in government jobs and recruitment based on merit. Till 2024 there were a total of three agitations for quota reforms in Bangladesh. So far, the general university and college students are in favor of this movement and the Awami League ruling Bangladesh government, Chhatra League and Awami League like-minded organizations are against. The first quota reform movement took place in 2013. Then in 2018, after the movement, a circular was announced in favor of the agitators. But this circular was declared invalid by the Supreme Court in 2024 and the movement started again. Every time during the agitation, Bangladesh Police and Chhatra League attacked the students with lethal force.

Background
Quota system was first introduced in 1972 after the independence of Bangladesh in government jobs. At that time, 20 percent of the merit list was allocated, 40 percent was district-wise, 30 percent was allotted to family members of freedom fighters who participated in the freedom struggle of Bangladesh, and 10 percent was allotted to war-affected women. This quota system was changed several times later.

Currently, Bangladesh has more than 55 percent quota in various government jobs, including 30 percent freedom fighter quota, 10 percent district-wise quota, 10 percent for women and 5 percent for minorities. However, as per the rules, if there are no qualified candidates in these quotas, 1 percent is allocated for the disabled. As a result, only 44 percent of the candidates were able to secure placement on merit. This leads to dissatisfaction among a large section of general students, as they are being deprived of marks in any examination despite scoring more than the under-quota candidates.

According to the information published in Prothom Alo, the number of registered freedom fighters is 2-2.5 lakh, that is, the number of freedom fighters is 1.2 or 1.5 per 1000 people. Which is 0.12/0.15 percent of the entire population. For 0.12 percent freedom fighters, the quota amount is 30 percent. Converting to thousands, it can be seen that the quota amount is 300 for 1 to 1.5 (one and a half) freedom fighters among 1,000 people.

Articles 19 (1), 29 (1) and 29 (2) of the Constitution of the People's Republic of Bangladesh mention equal opportunities for all citizens in employment.

Movement of 2024
This movement was started by ordinary students of secondary and higher secondary government educational institutions all over Bangladesh, but later Notre Dame College, St. Joseph's College, Viqarunnisa Noon School and College, Ideal School and College, Ideal College, Dhaka City College, BAF Shaheen College, Birshrestha Noor Mohammad Public College, Netrokona Govt College, Ananda Mohan College, Birshreshtha Munshi Abdur Rouf Public College,Notre Dame College Mymensingh,Prime Asia University, United International University, BRAC University, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh, Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology, Dania College, Dr. Mahbubur Rahman Mollah College, Enam Medical College and Hospital, Bangladesh University of Business and Technology, Daffodil International University, North South University, American International University-Bangladesh, Independent University, Bangladesh, Eastern University, City University,East West University, International University of Business Agriculture and Technology, Civil Aviation School and College, Tejgaon,Manarat International University and many other universities started protesting against Chhatra League violence.