Bangladesh: Anti-Quota Protests Spread Beyond Campuses

On July 3, 2024, Bangladesh witnessed a surge in student-led protests against the reinstatement of the quota system in public service recruitment, expanding from university campuses to major highways and city intersections. The demonstrations, driven by demands for merit-based job allocations, disrupted transportation and drew widespread attention across the nation.

Students from Barisal University blocked the Barisal-Kuakata highway, halting passenger and cargo vehicles. In Mymensingh, Bangladesh Agricultural University students stopped train services on the Dhaka-Mymensingh route for over an hour. Similar actions took place at Dhaka’s Shahbagh intersection, where thousands gathered for a second consecutive day, chanting slogans like “No quota, only merit” and calling for the reinstatement of a 2018 government circular that had abolished quotas.

The protests stem from a June 2024 High Court ruling that declared the 2018 quota abolition illegal, reinstating a 30% reservation for descendants of freedom fighters in government jobs. Students, organized under the banner of Students Against Discrimination, argue that the quota system undermines fair competition and are demanding reforms, including capping quotas at 10% and prioritizing merit for unfilled posts.

The movement gained political weight as opposition leader GM Quader, chairman of the Jatiya Party, criticized the quota reinstatement during a parliamentary session, highlighting its misalignment with equitable recruitment. Meanwhile, posts on X reflect public sentiment, with users noting the protests’ growing intensity and occasional clashes, though some claims of violence remain unverified.

As the demonstrations entered their third day, students from universities like Jahangirnagar and Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University blocked major roads, signaling a broadening resistance. The protests, initially focused on quota reform, have sparked discussions about systemic fairness in Bangladesh’s job market, with students vowing to continue until their demands are met.

Published in SouthAsianDesk, July 3rd, 2025

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