Bangladesh's top court reduces reservation in government jobs after violent protests

Dhaka. Bangladesh's top court on Sunday reduced reservation in government jobs amid the uproar over reservation in the country. Angry protesters over the lack of jobs were demanding the abolition of the system under which up to 30 percent reservation in government jobs was given to the families of those who participated in Bangladesh's liberation war against Pakistan in 1971. The government had banned it in 2018 after massive student protests, but in June the Bangladesh High Court restored the reservation, after which protests started again in the country.

In its verdict on Sunday, the Supreme Court said that 93 percent of government jobs should be allotted on the basis of merit-based system, five percent seats should be reserved for the family members of those who participated in the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971 and two percent for other categories. Demonstrations have been going on for several days in Bangladesh demanding reforms in the reservation system in government jobs and when the situation worsened, a strict curfew was imposed across the country on Saturday. Armed forces patrolled various parts of the national capital Dhaka.

Bangladeshi authorities have not shared any official number of the dead and injured but a report published in the news daily Prathmik Alo on Saturday said at least 103 people have died so far. Soldiers patrolled cities across the South Asian country ahead of a hearing in the Supreme Court. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said a curfew would be relaxed from 3 pm to 5 pm on Sunday. Meanwhile, the government has declared Sunday and Monday as public holidays and only emergency services will remain operational.

Disclaimer: Sarkari Result Daily has not edited this news. This news has been published from PTI-language feed.