Violent protests over government job quotas have plunged Bangladesh into chaos, leading to the permanent closure of schools and universities after claiming at least six lives and injuring hundreds. Following a court decision to reinstate divisive quotas Rival student organizations clashed brutally in Dhaka, Chittagong, and Rangpur on Tuesday. Meanwhile, university students are demonstrating drawing in proponents and opponents of the quota system from various political parties and exposing underlying societal issues over equity in employment opportunities.
Notably, accusations have targeted government-affiliated parties for inciting violence, with student leaders alleging aggressive and oppressive actions by pro-government factions. Furthermore, authorities deployed the paramilitary Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) to maintain law and order amid ongoing protests, citing the need to manage the situation in larger cities.
The root of the turmoil lies in the dispute over the distribution of public-sector employment. A significant portion is reserved for specific categories, including women, people of color, the disabled, and the families of combat heroes from the 1971 independence struggle. Critics argue that this system discriminates against merit-based hiring. The main focus of the unrest centers on the demand to abolish a quota system that reserves more than half of government jobs for particular groups, such as the descendants of Bangladesh’s 1971 independence fighters. Opponents assert that this system undermines merit-based hiring and favors allies of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s administration.
In response to the recent incident, Bangladesh’s law minister Anisul Huq dismissed allegations of official involvement and attributed the violence to opposition members infiltrating the anti-quota movement. The government has bolstered security measures by stationing paramilitary personnel in major cities.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the necessity of a peaceful resolution and urged Bangladeshi authorities to protect protesters from violence and threats. Additionally, Amnesty International called on Bangladesh to ensure the safety of nonviolent demonstrators while condemning the violence. And the US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller also denounced the “ against peaceful protesters”.In response to condemnation from the US State Department over the use of force against protestors, Bangladesh’s foreign ministry rebuked the allegations.
However, the situation remains unstable with events underscoring long-standing dissatisfaction among civil society and young people in Bangladesh regarding fairness and opportunity in public sector employment.
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