Student protests in Bangladesh have turned violent with dozens of people reportedly killed and hundreds injured in clashes with police. Protesters are demanding that the government end a quota system that reserves jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in the war of independence from Pakistan in 1971, something they consider discriminatory.
In Bangladesh, the government has imposed a curfew and brought in the military to control ongoing protests. Students argue that the quota system, allocating 56% of government jobs to special categories including war veterans’ kin, unfairly disadvantages qualified applicants from the general pool. Moreover, they are demanding reforms or a complete abolishment of the system, favoring a merit-based approach.
56% of government jobs in Bangladesh are reserved under various quotas, including 10% for women, 10% for people from underdeveloped districts, 5% for indigenous communities, and 1% for people with disabilities.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s press secretary, Nayeemul Islam Khan, announced the curfew, which started immediately. In addition, this decision follows days of violent clashes between protesters and security forces.
The capital city, Dhaka, saw intense confrontations despite a ban on public gatherings and an internet shutdown aimed at stopping the organization of rallies.
A reporter, Tanvir Chowdhury, mentioned that the curfew and internet blackout have added to the confusion and unrest. The government hopes these measures will keep people off the streets, but the protesters remain determined and unwilling to compromise.
Fatalities
The protests began after a High Court decision on June 5 reinstated a 30 percent job reservation for children of veterans from the 1971 liberation movement. The situation escalated on Monday when student protesters were attacked by activists from the ruling party’s student wing.
On Thursday, clashes in Dhaka resulted in at least 11 deaths. Reports on Friday indicated more fatalities, with numbers ranging from 17 to 30, though these figures are not independently verified.
The government has shut down universities and sent security forces to campuses, expressing willingness to meet with student leaders. However, demonstrators demand accountability for the deaths before considering any compromise.
Read more: Bangladesh After Independence: achievements and losses
This outburst of violence presents a significant challenge for the Bangladeshi government. Balancing the need to honor war veterans by ensuring a fair job market will be a critical issue in the coming days.