In Bangladesh, the biggest challenge or obstacle to securing a job is the existing quota system. Every year, the number of unemployed individuals continues to rise. Students, who should be at their study desks, are now on the streets. They have completed their studies and aspire to secure a job based on merit to build a better life, but today they are protesting. Since the governments announcement to abolish the quota system in 2018, which was declared illegal, students have been demonstrating and increasing in numbers every day. They are not demanding the complete elimination of quotas but are calling for a rational reform. Protesters state that 30% of the 56% quota is allocated to the children of freedom fighters, which should be reduced to 10%. Experts and meritorious individuals argue that there should be no quota at all. In this article, I will discuss how the quota system is destroying our employment structure and foretelling a future devoid of merit:
Initially, the quota system was introduced in 1971 to bring the backward sections of society, specifically the children of freedom fighters, into the mainstream. Although it was implemented in 1972, its scope and benefits have gradually increased over time. At the time of Bangabandhu, the quota system in government jobs was not directly related to the spirit of the Liberation War. In the interim recruitment rules of 1972, a 30% quota was provided for freedom fighters. Professor Dr. Asif Nazrul of Dhaka University, a constitutional expert, has called the freedom fighter quota "unconstitutional and unethical."
The term "interim recruitment rules" implied that the quota was meant to be temporary.
During the formulation of Bangladeshs constitution, freedom fighters were not considered backward, and no quota or special privilege was demanded for them in articles 28 or 29. Only Article 15 mentions social security for disabled freedom fighters and the families of martyred freedom fighters. Bangabandhu intended this quota system to be a temporary measure for freedom fighters. However, in 1977, most members of the then Pay and Services Commission opposed this quota system in government recruitment. Dr. Akbar Ali Khans research mentions that there are 258 types of quotas in Bangladeshs government jobs. According to the Public Service Commission (PSC), the current quota system in first-class government jobs is divided into five categories: 1) 30% for freedom fighters, 2) 10% for districts, 3) 10% for women, 4) 5% for tribal communities, and 5) 1% for people with disabilities.
On October 4, 2018, the Ministry of Public Administration issued a circular to abolish the existing quota system for direct recruitment in first and second-class government jobs. In 2021, freedom fighters child Ahidul Islam and six others filed a writ challenging the validity of abolishing the quota. The High Court declared this decision illegal, but without a stay order on the judgment, the abolition of the quota in government jobs remains in effect. On June 5, the High Court declared part of the circular abolishing the quota in government jobs illegal, prompting students to protest. As a result, the 30% quota for freedom fighters in government jobs (grades 9 to 13) will remain in place. Students nationwide are protesting against the reinstatement of the quota system, with the potential for strikes and blockades.
Job-seeking youths argue that with millions of students fighting for government jobs and many failing to secure one due to limited positions, it is unacceptable to maintain such a high quota. They claim that with a 56% quota, many positions remain vacant due to a lack of eligible candidates, demonstrating the current lack of justification for the quota. One meritorious female student has even demanded the abolition of the womens quota. Some freedom fighters have also joined the call to abolish the quota.
Due to the quota system in Bangladesh, meritorious individuals are being deprived of jobs, hindering the countrys development. Because of the quota, candidates scoring 40 marks can get a job, while those scoring 60 marks cannot. The quota system leads to government job advertisements being issued exclusively for quota holders. Thus, to build a prosperous future and a digital Bangladesh, it is essential to reform the quota system. The descendants of freedom fighter families should also come forward in this reform, advocating for merit-based recruitment rather than continuing to benefit from the quota system for generations.
Freedom fighters are the nations greatest heroes who fought for the country. This applies to farmers, workers, ordinary people, the military, and police. Freedom fighters are not a backward class but come from various social backgrounds. When they fought in the war, they did not have any thoughts of quotas or personal gain. They fought against injustice and oppression, and the temporary quota was introduced for their children. However, there is no mention in the constitution of extending this benefit to their grandchildren or future generations.
While the current students do not demand the complete abolition of the 56% quota and 44% merit-based government jobs, they seek its reform. With the growing opportunities and benefits in government jobs, and apart from some political interference and nepotism in recruitment, students interest in government jobs is increasing. However, with the continuation of the quota system, this desirable sector is becoming more restricted, leading to a significant number of students seeking opportunities abroad.
The question arises: is the students movement for expressing their intelligence, merit, and skills political or unreasonable? I do not think so, as I am also the child of a freedom fighter without any certification. I consider the Liberation War and freedom fighters as the nations greatest assets and heroes. Therefore, a rational discussion and reform of the quota system are necessary for the future governance of the state. Emotions and political ideologies should not take precedence here. Today, students and teachers are protesting, which is never desirable.
Although the quota was initially introduced for the children of freedom fighters in 1971, it now applies to their grandchildren, sparking intense debate. Former caretaker government adviser Akbar Ali Khan stated that many meritorious candidates are not interested in participating in job exams due to this quota system. There are also district quotas for 64 districts. Primarily, the quota system was introduced to provide benefits to the backward sections of society, and there should be guidelines for repeated application of a quota benefit to avoid creating inequality instead of equality in society.
In conclusion, let us uphold the circular of 2018 and introduce fierce competition based on merit for jobs. Our students are not only demanding quota reform but also the establishment of the rule of law in all areas of society. Some have even suggested retaining only the quota for people with disabilities and abolishing all others. There have been reports of many scandals involving the freedom fighter quota. One student questioned how a doctor hired based on a quota would provide treatment. However, our constitution guarantees equal rights for all. According to Article 27, all citizens are equal before the law and entitled to equal protection of the law. Therefore, by reforming the quota system, we should ensure equal rights for everyone. Thus, the quota system should be merit-based rather than a tool for destroying merit.
The writer is teacher, University of Chittagong, and PhD Researcher, IIUM Malaysia
