There has always been dissatisfaction regarding the quota system in government, semi-government, autonomous, and semi-autonomous organizations because the quota allocation often exceeded merit-based recruitment.
In this context, several quota movements have occurred, but they were very limited in scale.
The quota movement first took a large-scale form in 2018.
Towards the end of January that year, a student from Dhaka University and two journalists filed a writ petition in the High Court, seeking the abolition and reassessment of the quota system in government jobs.
The writ also mentioned that the quota system conflicted with the constitution.
However, in March, the Supreme Court dismissed the writ.
Meanwhile, shortly after filing the writ, a Facebook page called “We Want Quota Reform” was created in February, announcing various programs including human chains centered around Shahbagh.
This essentially marked the beginning of the quota reform movement.
During this time, a platform called “Bangladesh General Students’ Rights Protection Council” was also formed with the aim of reforming the quota system.
After the writ was dismissed, an order was issued stating that there would be no changes to the quota system. However, the government made some relaxations in the implementation of the quota.
The order from the Ministry of Public Administration stated, “If no eligible candidates are found for any quota in direct recruitment, those positions will be filled by candidates at the top of the merit list.”
In other words, the government reversed an earlier decision which stated that if the freedom fighter quota was not filled, it would remain vacant, and announced that appointments would be made from the merit list.
However, the students remained steadfast in their demands.
During this time, law enforcement used tear gas and blank bullets and arrested several people during the protesters’ programs.
In April of that year, the movement became widespread. Students across the country began boycotting classes and exams in response to the call for a movement from Shahbagh.
Faced with continuous protest programs, on April 11th, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced in Parliament that all types of quotas would be abolished. However, the official notification was issued later, in October.
At that time, the government issued a notification abolishing quotas for the 9th to 13th grades, meaning for first and second-class government jobs.
For the 14th to 20th grades, that is, third and fourth-class positions, it was stated that if no candidates were available through the quota system, recruitment would be based on merit.
However, between the Prime Minister’s announcement to abolish the quota and the issuance of the official notification, there were several reports in the media of attacks and arrests of the movement’s coordinators.
Meanwhile, in 2021, several children of freedom fighters challenged the decision to abolish the quota in the High Court by filing a writ petition.
On June 5th, the court ruled in their favor, meaning the quota system would be reinstated as before, according to the court.
However, the state filed an appeal in the Appellate Division seeking to suspend the High Court’s decision. When the appeal came up for hearing on July 4th, the Supreme Court directed the state to seek leave to appeal.
In the meantime, from July 1st, students began a movement against the quota abolition. They are continuing this movement under the banner of ‘Anti-Discrimination Student Movement’.
What is a Quota?
A quota refers to a specific portion of something that is typically reserved for a particular group. Quotas are mainly implemented in various areas such as education and employment to include the marginalized or backward sections of society into the mainstream.
Many countries around the world have quota systems.
During British rule, there was a quota system for Indians in government jobs. Later, quotas were also allocated for the backward Muslim population.
After the partition, the quota system was based on provinces in Pakistan as well.
“Quotas are given so that the backward or marginalized people can participate in the societal activities,” said former secretary Abu Alam Md. Shahid Khan.
How the Quota system has changed in Bangladesh
The movement demands the reform of the quota system in government jobs by abolishing all quotas and retaining only a maximum of five percent allocation for “backward groups.”
Until the 2018 circular abolishing quotas, there was a total of 56 percent quota in government jobs for freedom fighters, districts, women, small ethnic groups, and people with disabilities.
However, in the first quota system introduced in 1972 after independence, the amount was even higher.
The Quota System in Bangladesh Since 1972
Since 1972, Bangladesh has had quotas in government jobs for freedom fighters, districts, and women.
On September 5, 1972, the then-government issued an executive order regarding the recruitment and distribution of quotas in government, autonomous, semi-autonomous institutions, and various corporations and offices.
According to this order, 20% of first-class job appointments were based on merit, and the remaining 80% were reserved for district quotas. Within this 80%, 30% was allocated for freedom fighters and 10% for women affected by the war.
Thus, a significant portion of the quotas was reserved for freedom fighters.
At this time, the recruitment process was increased based on merit, and a separate quota system was established specifically for women.
In other words, out of the total quota, 40% was allocated for merit, 30% for freedom fighters, 10% for women, 10% for women affected by the war, and the remaining 10% was determined based on districts.
By including people from small ethnic groups in the quota and further increasing the recruitment based on merit, the then Ministry of Establishment (now Ministry of Public Administration) revised the quota system in 1985.
It stated, “For first and second-class positions, the merit-based quota will be 45% and the district-based quota will be 55%. Within this district-based quota, 30% will be allocated for freedom fighters, 10% for women, and 5% for indigenous people.”
In 1990, partial changes were made to the quota system for the recruitment of non-gazetted positions, but it remained unchanged for first and second-class jobs.
Quota for Freedom Fighters’ Family
In 1997, the government included children of freedom fighters in government job quotas.
The 1985 quota allocation remained unchanged, but an order was issued to allocate the 30% quota for freedom fighters to “suitable children of freedom fighters or martyred freedom fighters” if no eligible freedom fighters were available.
Soon after, several notifications were issued stating that freedom fighters’ children were not being hired according to the quota.
During this time, notifications mentioned that “action will be taken against the concerned recruiting officials” if the directive was not followed. However, in 2002, during the BNP-led four-party alliance government, another circular was issued canceling previous circulars regarding the allocation of quotas for freedom fighters.
It stated, “The government has decided that, from the 21st BCS examination, if suitable candidates are not found for the 30% quota reserved for freedom fighters, the vacant positions (both cadre and non-cadre) can be filled by candidates at the top of the merit list.”
In other words, if eligible candidates are not found for the 30% freedom fighter quota, candidates from the merit list are to be appointed.
In 2008, when the Awami League-led grand alliance formed the government, this directive was also canceled.
At the same time, the Ministry of Establishment issued a notification stating that if the quota for children of freedom fighters could not be filled, the positions should remain vacant.
Further changes to the quota came in 2011. At this time, grandchildren of freedom fighters were also included in the 30% freedom fighter quota.
Finally, in 2012, the government issued a notification adding a one percent quota for people with disabilities.