Behind the wall of quota

In a talk show organized by Face the People, Ohidul Islam Tushar (a freedom fighter’s son) was asked about the quota: “Even though we are equally talented, you got a job because of the quota but I didn’t, is that not discrimination?” There was also another, “The children of those who were martyred in the language movement of 1952 are still alive, if they claim that because of their fathers and grandfathers, we now have the Bengali language today, so we also have a right to quota facilities, then will the government give them that quota?”

Although there are no answers to these questions, it reminded me of the system of Basic Democracy in 1959, where Ayub Khan aimed to establish a loyal class, who would outwardly function as the people’s representatives, but actually remain the puppets of the government. It was a system of no opposition, only Ayubists.
The quota also ultimately results in the same system. Through the name of the quota, loyal bureaucrats and other government officials will be selected to serve the government’s whim with little to no internal opposition.
The quota can’t just be a gift or reward. But there is no one to speak against the quota except the student society. Who will speak? Government bureaucrats? Teachers who also receive quotas? Who will speak in the parliament?
In terms of government recruitment in 2018, the percentage of quota distribution: 30% freedom fighter quota, 10% district quota, 10% women quota, 5% minority/ethnic group quota, and 1% disability quota. That is a total of 56% reserved for quotas. On the contrary, only 44% is based on purely merit, reports DT.
Not only that, but the quota facilities in 3rd and 4th class jobs are more than 90% depending on the sectors. For instance, in primary teacher recruitment, there are 30% for freedom fighters, women quota 60%, and others together 6% -- a total of 96% quota for jobs, and 4% left for only merit. This disparity will gradually make the nation duller.
Today, when Bangladesh is transitioning from a least developed country (LDC), why do the children of the nation’s heroes feel disadvantaged and backward? Women are progressing at an equal pace with men in government and private jobs. Moreover,women are now ahead in school-college, university, medical entrance exams, and even in government and private jobs -- so the women’s quota also needs reform.
Some quota reservations make absolute sense; those with disabilities or from minority groups rightfully receive the benefits, but those too need fair and thorough assessments.
Dr Akbar Ali Khan, former adviser of the caretaker government, said that many meritorious candidates aren’t interested in participating in job exams due to the quota system. It is necessary to reform the existing quota system for the sake of our country and our state.