Lagatar24 Desk
Dhaka: Bangladesh is in mourning for more than 200 lives lost in the recent turmoil stemming from student protests over the country’s government job quota system. The demonstrations, initially peaceful, escalated into violence, resulting in numerous fatalities and widespread arrests.
The protests began as students demanded changes to a quota system that reserved 30% of government jobs for relatives of veterans and victims of the 1971 independence war against Pakistan. Tensions boiled over on July 15 when activists from the ruling party’s student wing clashed with demonstrators, prompting security forces to intervene with tear gas and rubber bullets.
This unrest marks the most significant challenge to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government since her fourth consecutive term win in January, amid boycotts from main opposition groups. Both the ruling Awami League and the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party have traded accusations of instigating political violence, particularly in the lead-up to national elections marred by a crackdown on opposition figures.
On Tuesday, government officials, including those at the Bangladesh Secretariat, donned black badges in remembrance of the victims as the country began to stabilize under a relaxed curfew. Religious institutions across the nation held special prayers for those who died.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan reported the death toll at 150, while Prothom Alo, a leading Bengali-language daily, cited 211 deaths since July 16. Additionally, thousands have sustained injuries, and about 10,000 people have been arrested in connection with the clashes and attacks on state property.
Human rights organizations have condemned the mass arrests and detentions, accusing the government of using excessive force to suppress dissent. Amnesty International’s Smriti Singh described the arrests as politically motivated and aimed at creating a climate of fear.
Despite government claims that arrests were based on specific charges, skepticism remains. Six protest leaders, currently in police custody, issued a statement calling off the protests, but many demonstrators believe the statement was coerced and vowed to continue until their demands are met, including a public apology from Prime Minister Hasina.
The Supreme Court recently ruled to reduce the veterans’ quota from 30% to 5%, with 93% of civil service jobs allocated on merit and the remaining 2% reserved for ethnic minorities, transgender people, and those with disabilities. The government has pledged to implement this decision.
As of Tuesday, internet services have been restored, but social media platforms like Facebook remain blocked. Schools and educational institutions are closed indefinitely as police continue to manage the protests.
