A recent outbreak of violence in Bangladesh has resulted in the deaths of at least eight individuals and left hundreds more injured. The clashes occurred during protests led by students who initially were demonstrating against a government jobs quota system. These demonstrations have since intensified, with protestors now demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The protests began peacefully but turned violent, leading to over 200 fatalities in July.
In response to the unrest, authorities in Bangladesh have shut down schools and universities nationwide, imposed a curfew with shoot-on-sight orders, and made over 11,000 arrests in recent weeks. The protestors have urged for “non-cooperation,” asking citizens to refrain from paying taxes and utility bills and to stay away from work. Despite these calls, offices, banks, and factories operated on Sunday, creating challenges for commuters in Dhaka and other cities.
Counterprotests were staged by thousands of supporters of the ruling Awami League party and its affiliates, heightening the potential for further violent clashes. Incidents of violence included attacks on a prominent public hospital, vehicle burnings, and confrontations with the police in various districts. Reports indicated casualties in several regions, with witnesses describing detonations of crude bombs and gunshots.
Mobile internet service disruptions and difficulties accessing social media platforms were reported during the protests. The demonstrations originally began in opposition to a governmental policy reserving 30% of public sector jobs for the families of veterans involved in Bangladesh’s independence war. The Supreme Court later revised this quota to 5%, but the protests persisted as the demonstrators sought accountability for what they view as excessive force used by the government.
The quota system under scrutiny also includes allocations for ethnic minorities, disabled individuals, and transgender people, which were reduced from 26% to 2% under the current administration. Both sides have exchanged blame for instigating the violence, with the government accusing opposition parties and their student factions. Opposition leaders have called for the government’s resignation to restore order. Prime Minister Hasina expressed willingness to engage in dialogue with protest leaders, offering to investigate the deaths and bring perpetrators to justice. The ongoing protests pose a significant challenge for Hasina, who has been in power for over 15 years.
