Unrest in Bangladesh Universities: Protests and Violence Over Job Quota System

Students across Bangladesh protest the reinstatement of a job quota for war veterans’ descendants, leading to violent clashes and unrest.

Universities across Bangladesh have erupted in protests, leading to violent confrontations. At least five people have died and hundreds have been injured as students voice their opposition to a government job quota system. The government has responded by canceling classes in public and private universities and closing affiliated colleges until further notice.

Background of the Protests

The unrest began on July 1, following a decision by the Bangladesh High Court 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 that the quota will limit their job opportunities. While the protesters support reservations for other marginalized groups, they demand the abolition of the quota for the descendants of war veterans.

Nahid Islam, a coordinator of the anti-quota protests, stated, “We are not against the quota system in general, but we want the 30 per cent quota for the descendants of 1971 freedom fighters to be abolished. Government jobs are the only hope for many young people in Bangladesh, and this quota system is depriving them of opportunities.”

Protesters are also concerned about the accuracy of the list of veterans’ families, fearing that some might benefit unfairly. They argue that the quota is discriminatory and should be replaced with a merit-based system. The quota system was abolished in 2018 after widespread protests, but the recent court order to reinstate it has reignited anger among the youth.

The Escalation of Violence

The situation escalated when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made controversial remarks during a press conference, suggesting that if the quota benefits were not given to freedom fighters’ descendants, they would go to “Razakars” (collaborators with the Pakistani military during the 1971 war). Her comments were seen as demeaning by the protesters.

Clashes broke out between protesters and members of the student wing of the ruling Awami League party, the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), resulting in over 100 injuries at Dhaka University. Violence spread to other universities, including Jahangir Nagar University, where demonstrators were attacked by BCL activists and police. Witnesses reported that over 50 people were treated at a nearby hospital, with at least 30 suffering pellet wounds.

Government and Opposition Reactions

In response to the protests, the government has deployed riot police and paramilitary troops on campuses and in several districts. Prime Minister Hasina and several ministers have criticized the protesters, labeling them as “true Razakars” and questioning their understanding of Bangladesh’s history.

The main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and its student wing have called for marches to protest the attacks on anti-quota protesters, adding a political dimension to the unrest.

Future Implications

The government’s heavy-handed response and failure to address the grievances of the protesters have raised concerns about further instability. Experts warn that labeling protesters as anti-national forces and resorting to violence will only deepen societal divisions.

Asif Nazrul, a law professor at Dhaka University, criticized the government’s approach, suggesting that it was keen to suppress the protests. Mohammad Abdur Razzaque, chairman of Research and Policy Integration for Development, emphasized the need for dialogue. “The government needs to find a way to listen to the students’ concerns and find a fair solution to this quota issue. Resorting to violence and labeling the protesters as anti-national forces is only going to exacerbate the situation and deepen the divisions in Bangladeshi society,” he told Reuters.

The situation remains tense, and the government’s ability to address the protesters’ demands will be crucial in determining the country’s path forward.