Bangladesh Protest: Student protests against a 30% job quota have spread across almost all of Bangladesh
Security forces have flooded university campuses, resulting in six fatalities among the protesters. Students have occupied university grounds, prompting the government to close schools and colleges. The protests, involving students without political affiliations, focus on the contentious quota system.
Experts argue that the violence and deaths are tragic, especially since the government shares the students’ viewpoint. Immediate communication with the students is crucial.
Analysts believe these protests reflect broader frustrations beyond the quota issue, with ties to the historic 1971 Liberation Movement, which led to Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan. In 1972, Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman introduced a quota system reserving 30% of jobs for the children of freedom fighters, with other quotas in place and 44% of jobs remaining merit-based.
The current protests target this 30% freedom fighters’ quota, with students questioning the continued benefits for the third generation of freedom fighters and demanding a fully merit-based recruitment system.
Despite the Supreme Court suspending the High Court’s order reinstating the quota, the protests continue. The Supreme Court’s intervention meant there was no quota in place, but violent clashes have persisted, particularly at Dhaka University, with over 100 students injured. The unrest has spread to cities like Chattogram and Rangpur.
Mubashar Hasan, a Bangladesh expert, notes that the protests are widespread and involve the opposition parties publicly siding with the students. The ruling Awami League and its student wing, Chhatra League, are actively trying to suppress the movement, while the opposition seeks to expand its support base by aligning with the students.
The protests, largely peaceful for two weeks, turned violent following aggressive actions by the ruling party’s Chhatra League and police. Reports from Bangladeshi media highlight violations of human rights, leading to increased anger among students.
In response to the escalating violence and the deaths of six individuals, the government ordered the closure of schools and colleges on Wednesday.
Experts suggest that the protests also stem from broader discontent with the government, with cultural expressions of dissent emerging on social media. Critics have accused Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of election rigging, leading to her fourth consecutive term in January 2024, which the main opposition party, the BNP, boycotted.
Veteran journalist Swadesh Roy emphasizes the need for the government to communicate with the students, given that the government opposes the High Court’s verdict on the quota. He advises starting a dialogue to prevent further misunderstandings and unrest.
Mubashar Hasan believes that a compromise on the quota is essential to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control. He notes that the protests reflect broader discontent with the lack of employment opportunities and high-profile corruption cases, leaving many Bangladeshis feeling deprived and viewing government jobs as a path to security.
In essence, these protests are driven by students facing a grim future without job prospects.
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