Calm Returns to Bangladesh Amid Curfew as Supreme Court Alters Job Quotas

Bangladesh appeared calm on Monday under a curfew, though widespread telecom disruptions continued following the Supreme Court’s decision to scrap certain government job quotas, which had sparked deadly protests earlier this month.

Clashes between protesters and security forces resulted in the deaths of at least 139 people across the nation after the high court reinstated job reservations removed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government in 2018.

On Sunday, the Supreme Court ruled that 93% of government jobs should be allocated based on merit, overturning previous quotas of 56% for groups such as families of freedom fighters, women, and people from underdeveloped areas.

No violence or protests were reported on Monday morning. Media sources indicated that the curfew would be relaxed for three hours in the afternoon, an extension from the previous day’s two-hour relaxation, allowing people to buy essentials.

Student protesters have vowed to continue their demonstrations until detained protest leaders are released, and they have demanded the government lift the curfew and re-open universities, which have been closed since Wednesday. They have issued a 48-hour deadline for the government to address their demands.

Last week’s protests saw thousands injured as security forces employed tear gas, rubber bullets, and sound grenades to disperse demonstrators.