Bangladesh’s Supreme Court on Sunday abolished most of the quotas for government jobs that had sparked student-led protests resulting in at least 114 deaths, local media reported.
The court’s Appellate Division overturned a lower court order that had reinstated the quotas, directing that 93% of government jobs will now be open to candidates based on merit, without quotas.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government had eliminated the quota system in 2018, but it was reinstated by a lower court last month, igniting protests and a subsequent government crackdown.
The immediate reaction of the protesters to the decision was unclear.
In anticipation of the Supreme Court hearing on the job quotas, the government had extended a curfew. Soldiers patrolled the streets of Dhaka, the capital and epicenter of the demonstrations that led to clashes between protesters and security forces.
Internet and text message services in Bangladesh have been suspended since Thursday, isolating the nation as police cracked down on protesters defying a ban on public gatherings.
The curfew was extended until 3 p.m. (0900 GMT) and was to continue for an indefinite period following a two-hour break for people to gather supplies, according to local media reports.
Reuters could not immediately determine the status of the curfew after the ruling.
