Dhaka: The genie of reservation in government jobs has come to the fore in Bangladesh. At least 6 people have died in the protests demanding reform in the reservation system. In view of this, the authorities on Wednesday urged all universities to stop teaching activities. Some universities immediately complied with it, but some universities have not yet taken any decision in this regard.

The University Grants Commission has asked all public and private universities to suspend classes and vacate hostels till further notice for the safety of students. The universities of the country are run autonomously. At least six people, including three students, were killed and more than 100 others were injured on Tuesday in clashes between people protesting in major cities of Bangladesh demanding reform in the reservation system in government jobs.

Police and PAC deployed in Dhaka

On Wednesday also, sporadic protests took place at Dhaka University and other places in the country. Police were deployed at the campus while paramilitary border guards patrolled the streets in Dhaka and other major cities. Under the current reservation system, 30 per cent of jobs are reserved for children and grandchildren of heroes of Bangladesh’s 1971 independence war, 10 per cent for administrative districts, 10 per cent for women, five per cent for ethnic minority groups and one per cent for the physically handicapped.