Bangladesh has been witnessing violent protests for more than a month over the decision of the High Court to reinstate 30% reservation in government jobs to the descendants of the freedom fighters of the 1971 Liberation War.
The agitation against the ‘quota politics’, which is said to benefit members of Hasina’s Awami League, is largely spearheaded by students belonging to prominent colleges and universities in the country.
More than 32 deaths and 2000 injuries have been reported so far. The development comes at a time when Bangladesh is reeling under high inflation, dwindling foreign reserves and rising unemployment.
🇧🇩 Agitated students broke the gate of the state-owned Television network BTV center, vandalized and set fire inside.#SaveBangladeshiStudents #StepDownHasina
— Nznn Ahmed (@na_nznn) July 18, 2024
pic.twitter.com/3UbWnT69yq
The unrest in the country reached its peak on Thursday (18th July) when anti-quota protesters set fire to the headquarters of the state broadcaster Bangladesh Television (BTV) in Dhaka.
In a statement, the TV network informed, “The building of the BTV is under fire. The fire is spreading rapidly. Hoping for the rapid deployment of the firefighters. Many are trapped inside.”
The police resorted to firing rubber bullets and using other forms of non-lethal weapons (tear gas and noise grenades) to quell the protests by the students, leading to more deaths and injuries.
Appeal for calm fails miserably in Bangladesh
Forced by circumstances, the Sheikh Hasina-led government had announced to shut down schools and colleges for an indefinite period.
According to outage monitor NetBlocks, Bangladesh is also witnessing a “near-total national internet shutdown.”
On Wednesday (17th July), Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina appealed to the students to maintain calm.
Bangladesh: Several protesters have been killed and hundreds injured during violent protests in Dhaka after students loyal to the government attacked peaceful marchers.
— DW Asia (@dw_hotspotasia) July 18, 2024
So what's behind the student protests? pic.twitter.com/kzB9WzVq0y
In a televised address, she said, “I firmly declare that those who carried out murders, looting and violence — whoever they are — I will make sure they will be given the appropriate punishment.“
However, appeals for peace have so far failed to bear any fruits. The ruling Awami League has blamed the Islamist Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for exploiting the ongoing unrest and using students as political weapons.
While speaking about the ongoing agitation against ‘quota politics’, a protestor named Nahid Islam remarked, “Discussions and opening fire do not go hand in hand… We cannot trample over dead bodies to hold discussions.”
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called for patience until a final verdict on government job quotas is delivered as deadly violence in protest against the system convulses the country.
— Awami League (@albd1971) July 17, 2024
In a televised address to the nation on Wednesday evening, she announced a judicial… pic.twitter.com/WZWcl4y57d
Quotas in Bangladesh, govt policy and court verdicts
It must be mentioned that Bangladesh had 56% reservations until 2018 for certain groups in government jobs, which are considered lucrative in Bangladesh.
These groups include disabled individuals (1%), indigenous communities (5%), women (10%), people from underdeveloped districts (10%) and families of the freedom fighters of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War (30%).
This left only 44% of seats for selection based on merit. There were large-scale protests in 2018 by student groups, which forced the then-Sheikh Hasina government to abolish the quota altogether.
In June this year, the High Court in Bangladesh overturned the decision of the government and held the scrapping of 30% reservation for families of freedom fighters as illegal. This sparked fresh protests from student groups.
The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court upheld the decision of the High Court on 4th July 2024, leading to widespread demonstrations. Following appeals by the Sheikh Hasina government, the court asked all petitioners to maintain the status quo until 7th August 2024.
However, the protesting students are steadfast in their demands and are willing to even endanger their lives to prevent the implementation of the 30% quota yet again.
