Massive protests in Bangladesh’s universities have turned violent, killing at least five people and wounding hundreds more. Students are protesting the government’s job quota system, causing the government to postpone classes on public and private campuses and close linked medical, textile, engineering, and other universities indefinitely, according to bdnews24, Bangladesh’s leading news source.
The disturbance began on July 1, following the Bangladesh High Court’s decision to establish a 30% job quota for descendants of those who fought in the 1971 battle for independence. Thousands of students from several universities are protesting against the quota, claiming that it will limit their job options.
They favor quotas for other marginalized groups, such as women, ethnic minorities, and the disabled, but oppose the 30% quota for war veterans’ descendants.
Protesters, like Nahid Islam, a coordinator, claim that government employment are critical for many young people and that the quota system denies them equal chances. They also dispute the veracity of the list of veterans’ relatives, worrying that some would unfairly profit. They contend that the current system is discriminatory and should be replaced with one based on merit. They also allege it helps Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s followers.
The quota system was already suspended by Hasina in 2018 following widespread demonstrations, but a new court judgment ruled it illegal, reigniting the debate. Government employment are widely sought after in Bangladesh due to their high compensation, with over half of the positions designated for specific categories.
The demonstrators, who identify as members of the Students Against Discrimination movement, claim no political connection.Violence erupted as Prime Minister Hasina defended the quota system and made remarks considered as insulting by the students. Protesters and the student branch of the ruling Awami League party, the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), have clashed, resulting in injuries and increased violence.
Police deployed tear gas and batons against protesters, and violence was reported at numerous campuses, including Jahangir Nagar University in Savar. Witnesses say BCL activists and police struck marchers, causing multiple injuries.
Experts warn that the government’s severe approach may exacerbate the crisis. They advocate for a fair resolution to the quota issue to avoid further division and instability in Bangladeshi society.
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