Violent clashes have erupted in Bangladesh between supporters of the ruling party and demonstrators opposing job quotas for coveted government positions, resulting in over 100 injuries, as per police reports.

The quota system allocates more than half of high-paying civil service jobs, amounting to hundreds of thousands of government positions, to specific groups, including descendants of individuals who fought in the country's independence war in 1971.

Critics argue that the current system unfairly favors the offspring of pro-government factions backing Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who secured her fourth term in office following a contested general election in January.

Last week, Bangladesh's top court temporarily suspended the quotas, but protesters vow to persist with their demonstrations until the parts of the system that they oppose are entirely eliminated.

‘Reform quota system’

Media reports indicate that protests by numerous students across Bangladesh commenced on Sunday night and extended into Monday after comments by Hasina regarding the quota issue.

Students marched in multiple universities on Sunday night and carried on into Monday, protesting both against Hasina's statements and the existing quota structure.

During a press briefing at her official residence, Hasina criticized those opposing the quotas for descendants of freedom fighters in the country, while the protesting students advocate for retaining only the quotas supporting ethnic minorities and disabled individuals.

“We want a reform of the quota system,” expressed a female student from Dhaka University anonymously, citing concerns over potential repercussions.