The 2024 Quota Reform Movement, dubbed as Bangla Blockade by the protesters, is an ongoing protest movement spearheaded by the students, as well as teachers, of both the public universities and private universities demanding reform of the conventional system of quota-based recruitment in all types of government jobs in the country.[24][25] The protests started in response of a verdict by the High Court division on 5 June 2024, which declared the 2018 government circular cancelling the 30% quota for freedom fighters' descendants in government jobs, illegal.[26] The circular was issued in the wake of the 2018 Bangladesh quota reform movement.
After the court decision, online activism started against the verdict, along with calls for "another 2018". Initial protests were staged in early-June, mainly concentrated in the capital Dhaka, but was later discontinued due to Eid-ul-Adha and summer holidays. After the holiday, peaceful demonstrations restarted from 1 July, meanwhile public university teachers declared work strike protesting the new Universal Pension Scheme, thus universities came to be closed indefinitely. Demonstrations spread nationwide as the movement became convened by a newly-organised Boishomyobirodhi Chhatro Andolon (বৈষম্যবিরোধী ছাত্র আন্দোলন, lit. 'Anti-discrimination Students' Movement'), an umbrella organisation for the student protesters. From 7 July, protestors started nationwide Bangla Blockade, organising traffic and rail obstruction with demonstrations in major cities and metropolises such as Dhaka, Chittagong, Cumilla, Jessore, Rangpur and Rajshahi. Though the Appellate Division ordered a four-weeks status quo regarding the issue on 10 July, protests continued demanding a solving from the government.[29] Protests turned violent for the first time the next day as the police clashed with the students as government started to become hardline. On 14 July, controversy erupted regarding Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's statement, escalating the situation. Within 15 July, ruling Awami League solidified it's stance against the demonstration and the protestors met violent suppression from Chhatra League, leaving several hundreds injured and taking the situation to a deadlock.
Background
After the High Court verdict was published on June 5, 2024, students of various universities in Dhaka united to demand quota reform. After the movement was initially started, it was postponed due to Eid and summer holidays. After the holidays, the agitation started again peacefully but gradually became widespread. Initially the students and teachers of public universities including University of Dhaka, Jagannath University, Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University, Jahangirnagar University, University of Chittagong, University of Rajshahi, Comilla University, Islamic University and other educational institutions joined the movement.[33] Later, the students of private universities including North South University, BRAC University, American International University-Bangladesh, United International University, Independent University Bangladesh, Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology and Varendra University also followed suit by joining the public demonstration.[34] Under the banner of Anti-discrimination Students' Movement, students started a blockade program called Bangla Blockade. During the movement, the Appellate Division issued a status quo for four weeks on July 10, canceling the freedom fighter quota. Reacting to the court verdict, the students said they are seeking a final solution to the quota issue from the government, claiming the movement has nothing to do with the court. Appellate Division upholds status quo in High Court verdict. The protest also affected the domestic train and road transportation experienced blockade.
Demands
The Anti-discrimination Students' Movement has put forward the following demands to the government:[37][38]
- Cancellation of existing quota system for government jobs,
- Provision of quota at fair rates to minority groups and disabled people, and
- Passing a new law in the parliament which establishes a new quota system to a maximum level of 5% of total jobs.
