2018 Bangladesh quota reform protests
Students demonstrating during the 2018 quota reform movement in Dhaka
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| Date | March 26, 2018 – April 9, 2018 |
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| Place | Bangladesh (primarily Dhaka) |
| Causes | Demand to reform the government job quota system |
| Result | Government agreed to review quota system; movement ended |
| Casualties (Side 1) | None reported |
| Casualties (Side 2) | None reported |
The 2018 Bangladesh quota reform movement was a student-led campaign mainly in Dhaka and other parts of Bangladesh from late March to early April 2018. It was driven by demands for reforming the government’s quota system for public service recruitment.
Background
In Bangladesh, certain quotas reserve government jobs for specific groups such as freedom fighters' descendants and ethnic minorities. Critics argued these quotas limited opportunities for general candidates and merit-based recruitment.
Timeline
The movement began on March 26, 2018, when university students gathered demanding reform or removal of the quota system. It quickly gained support across multiple campuses.
Demands
Students called for abolition or reform of quotas, promoting meritocracy and fair competition in public sector jobs.
Government Response
Following sustained activism, the government agreed to review the quota system, leading to the movement’s conclusion in early April.
Legacy
The movement brought attention to fairness in public recruitment and influenced ongoing quota reform debates.
References