Quota Movement: Seeking relief from loss of lives and destruction
In the context of government recruitment, the Supreme Court of the country has mandated quotas as follows: 93% merit, 5% freedom fighters, 1% indigenous people, 1% disabled, and third-gender individuals. In response to student protests, the Awami League government abolished the quota system in 2018. However, following a petition by a few freedom fighters in 2021, the High Court reinstated the freedom fighter quota, effective from July 2024. The government has appealed this decision to the Supreme Court. Before the appeal verdict, student protests have resumed. While identifying disadvantaged sections or communities and setting quotas is the government's responsibility, once a matter is taken up by the court, it must be resolved through legal channels. Decisions on such matters cannot be made by the government while the case is sub judice. Therefore, the resolution of the quota issue depends on the Supreme Court's ruling.
Before 2018, the quota system comprised 44% merit, 30% freedom fighters, 10% women, 10% district, 5% indigenous, and 1% disabled. According to the Supreme Court ruling, district and women quotas are no longer in place. Previously, recruitment was done based on district population ratios, except for merit. To qualify for a quota position, all candidates had to pass written and oral exams alongside merit-based candidates. In 1976, out of around 100 first-class officers recruited by the Bangladesh Bank, only 1 was a woman. By 1981, only one woman among 50 candidates passed, but she did not join the service. Although women now compete equally with men academically, their numbers are still fewer in universities. The quota system once helped many women gain employment, leading to a noticeable female presence in offices and courts.
During recent quota protests, some women claimed they no longer need quotas, but they do not represent all women across the country. Women are still marginalized and face various familial and social barriers, and without some additional opportunities in employment, they might regress and fall behind again. Currently, the government has issued a notification keeping the Supreme Court’s ruling intact. The removal of the women’s quota has harmed disadvantaged women in society. The 30% freedom fighter quota for descendants seems unjustifiable, and the current 5% quota is unlikely to benefit them as many descendants of freedom fighters are not eligible due to age restrictions. The quotas for third-gender, indigenous, and disabled people are unlikely to be fulfilled due to limited educational opportunities and barriers to achieving qualifications for job exams. Essentially, the quotas are effectively non-existent.
Advocates for the freedom fighter quota in the Supreme Court argued that freedom fighters have not been given jobs under the quota for 21 years. Critics have claimed, "How much longer will freedom fighters enjoy quotas for 53 years?" Before the Awami League government came to power, freedom fighters were marginalized to the extent that they felt embarrassed to identify themselves as freedom fighters. Many freedom fighters no longer desire the quota, and the hatred spread against them in the name of quotas cannot be easily dispelled.
The Constitution mandates equal opportunities for all citizens. The quota system contradicts this principle as it grants more advantages to those under the quota. However, the Constitution also allows the government to provide additional opportunities to disadvantaged sections or communities to aid their employment and improve their living standards. In reality, such provisions are challenging to implement fully due to the disparity in resources and opportunities across the country. The quota system was introduced to address regional, educational, and income disparities. Removing quota disparities without addressing these underlying issues will only benefit the privileged.
The quota system has ensured women's representation in parliament and participation in law-making. Those elected through quotas have joined the elite class. Political parties have failed to meet the Election Commission's requirement for 33% female representation due to the complexities of the current societal framework. Women’s chances of winning elections are lower compared to men, and even female voters are not always supportive of female candidates. Therefore, quotas are still needed for women to be elected as representatives 53 years after independence. Those who have benefited from quotas over the years now reject them for their children, as is the nature of such systems.
No one can guarantee that incidents like the quota movement will not recur. The issue has become a political game, with the Awami League having been in power for 15 years. Due to the non-fulfillment of the Election Commission's conditions, Jamaat-e-Islami cannot participate in elections with its symbol, and top leaders of the party have received the highest punishment for crimes against humanity during the liberation war. The Awami League views them as political enemies, and the opposition, including BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, might use such movements to their advantage. However, the loss of lives, destruction of state property, and societal instability resulting from such movements are severe consequences. The public desires relief from such unhealthy environments.
Author: Former Executive Director of Bangladesh Bank and former Managing Director of Mint.
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