The protests began on July 1, following the court’s decision to reinstate a 30% government job quota for descendants of those who fought in the 1971 War of Independence.
Thousands of students from both government and private universities have taken to the streets, fearing the quota will deprive them of job opportunities.
The protesters support quotas for marginalized groups but demand the removal of the quota for war veterans’ descendants.
“We want the 30% quota for the descendants of 1971 freedom fighters to be abolished,” said Nahid Islam, coordinator of the anti-quota protests.
Despite the government’s closure of campuses and deployment of riot police and paramilitary troops, violence has spread. Clashes between protesters and the ruling Awami League’s student wing, the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), have led to numerous injuries.
The government has condemned the protests, with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina questioning the students’ understanding of the country’s history.
“If the grandchildren of freedom fighters do not receive [quota] benefits, who would get it? The grandchildren of Razakars?”, stated Hasina while mocking Razakars – those who collaborated with the Pakistani Military during the 1971 Liberation War.
The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its student wing have called for further marches. Experts warn that the government’s heavy-handed response could exacerbate anger and instability in the country.
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