In a recent incident, 39 individuals have lost their lives and more than 2,500 have been injured in Bangladesh due to violence amidst student protests demanding reform of the quota system for government employment. 

The protest took a darker turn on Thursday when protesting students set fire to the nation’s state broadcaster, following Prime Minister Sheikh Hassina’s appearance on the network to calm the clashes. 

Many university students in Dhaka and other cities have been holding rallies for weeks, protesting the system of reservation in public sector jobs. It also includes provisions for the relatives of war heroes who fought for Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan in 1971. 

What triggered the protest in Bangladesh? 

The Bangladesh High Court’s decision to reintroduce a quota system for government jobs triggered the protests a month ago. It contradicted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government decision made in 2018 to eliminate it. 

Nevertheless, the Supreme Court halted the High Court’s order upon the government’s appeal, scheduling a hearing for August 7 to review the government’s opposition. 

The protests intensified after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina refused to address the students’ requests, mentioning ongoing court proceedings. 

They turned violent after confrontations between thousands of anti-quota protesters and the student wing of Hasina’s Awami League Party.

Despite the police’s efforts to scatter the protesters using rubber bullets, tear gas and noise grenades, everything was unsuccessful. 

The escalation in violence led authorities to shut down the metro rail in the capital city. Authorities also suspended the railway services to and from Dhaka.

Additionally, the government issued orders to disable mobile internet networks in various regions of the country. 

According to Netblocks (a global internet monitoring digital rights, cybersecurity and internet governance), Bangladesh was experiencing nearly a complete internet block out. 

The Bangladesh Police website was also not accessible. The website of the Awami League’s student wing, Bangladesh Chhatra League, was hacked. 

In response to the protests, the Bangladesh government has instructed schools and universities to remain closed indefinitely. 

What are the students demanding? 

The students escalating the protests are demanding the abolition of a quota system allocated over 50% of public sector positions to certain groups. Certain groups include children of veterans from the nation’s 1971 war for independence against Pakistan. 

What is the Quota system and how does it work? 

According to sources, the quota system in Bangladesh has undergone multiple revisions since it was introduced in 1972. It encompasses various groups, including the families of freedom fighters, women and individuals from underdeveloped districts, each receiving a share of one-tenth of the quota. 

Additionally, five percent is allocated to Indigenous communities, and one percent is allocated to the disabled.  

In 2018, The former PM Sheikh Hasina’s government abolished the quota system, which had reserved 56% of government positions under different quotas. 

Moreover, the students participating in the protest are concerned that the quota system is reducing the availability of government jobs for all individuals putting aspirants in disadvantageous position.