The peaceful protest by the students was provoked by Hasina Wajid's sarcastic statement in which she termed the protesters as 'volunteers' supporting Pakistan.
Sheema Siddiqui
July 25, 2024
Bangladesh's 17 crore population is now completely cut off from the world. Bangladesh, one of the fastest developing countries in the world, faced severe political instability when on June 5, 2024, the Bangladesh High Court reinstated the quota system that was abolished in 2018.
At the moment, internet is down and curfew is in force in Bangladesh. The student protests that started the day after the court verdict were revealed turned into violent riots around the world. Sheikh Hasina Wajid tried to suppress the students by force and Awami League's student organization 'Chhatra League' tortured the protestors who came on the streets against the quota system, but the sentiments of the students were hurt when Sheikh Hasina Wajid made an irresponsible statement on July 16 that inflamed the emotions of organized and peaceful student protesters.
Latest news from Bangladesh
In the latest development, on July 21, the Supreme Court accepted the demand of the protesting students and reduced the quota from 30% to 5%. One percent is reserved for the disabled while one percent is reserved for the disabled. The court also said that the government can change this ratio.
On July 23, the curfew was relaxed for a few hours. However, all educational institutions are closed indefinitely, even many hostels have become vacant. The only demand of the students now is that Sheikh Hasina should apologize to the families of the deceased.
Protests in Bangladesh have turned violent—Photo: X
Dhaka-based Dr. Syed Naveed Mushtaq, when contacted by Dawn News Digital, replied to us several days later on July 24, that 'Dhaka has had internet shutdown and complete media blackout for 5 days. There is a shortage of food items while the available items are being sold at many times higher prices. A dozen eggs are available at 185 taka'.
Syed Maruf, the Pakistani High Commissioner posted in Dhaka, says that the situation is improving.
The curfew has been relaxed for a long time but the situation is still not completely normal. The Pakistani students are safe and we are in touch with everyone, as well as relaying their welfare to their families in Pakistan as communication channels are yet to be restored. The Pakistani High Commission team is also present with the Pakistani students.
In the news of all these violent riots, the echo of Pakistan was heard many times. So we try to understand this problem from the beginning, what is the final problem? At the same time, we also try to understand that the 15-year-old government of Sheikh Hasina Wajid, who took the oath of office for the fourth consecutive time in January 2024, will only take political hiccups this time or is her government really in danger this time?
What is the quota system?
In 1971, East Pakistan separated and became Bangladesh, and during that time those who fought for independence from Pakistan were called the heroes of Bangladesh. The families of these war heroes were awarded special quotas in government jobs, especially in the civil services, and this continued for several decades. But in 2018, this quota was abolished due to the strong protest of the students.
It should be noted that even in 2018, the government canceled the quota system only in the first and second class jobs in view of student protests, i.e. it was not canceled completely. An application was filed in the court against the government's decision in 2018. The Bangla court decided on this application on June 5, 2024 and restored the specific quota. The day after the verdict, i.e. on June 6, students took out a protest rally in Dhaka University.
—Photo: Al Jazeera
Why did the riots finally break out?
The peaceful protest was going on. In the beginning, few ordinary Bengali students came forward for their social rights and thus other students also became vocal. Demonstrations started taking place in government and non-government educational institutions. The students of Dhaka University were more active in the protest and there were more riots in its campus. Till July 15, the students had only one demand that the government should amend the constitution and repeal this law completely. Quota system is against right loss and merit. All people should get government jobs according to their hard work.
By this time the protestors were out on the streets but the situation was not out of control but Sheikh Hasina's political statement stirred up the scene and infuriated the students. On July 16, Sheikh Hasina mocked the protestors' slogans of complete abolition of the quota system, likening them to the 'volunteers', a group that helped the Pakistani army in 1971.
The students and their parents took it as an insult and the youth of all over Bangladesh became very angry because the Mukti Bahini at that time called those who helped the Pakistan army as 'volunteers' i.e. the protesting students were the Pakistani army. There are companions.
In response to Sheikh Hasina's mockery, the students also raised slogans saying 'Who are you? who am I? Rizakar Rizakar', 'We had asked for our Odikar (right) but we have been made volunteers'.
Within a few hours, the student demonstration turned into an anti-government demonstration that engulfed the entire country. The government even had to declare a 'public holiday' by imposing a curfew in the country.
The violent situation is going on for a second week but the situation is not under control. Demonstrators even attacked the state TV building because the news broadcast near them supports the government's position.
Later Sheikh Hasina said on her statement that her statement was misinterpreted. At the same time, Awami League's student organization 'Chhatra League' subjected the protesting students to violence and the police were also seen standing with them. A student was killed by a violent mob on July 15 and the death toll rose to 10 the next day, and the death toll has crossed 175 as of the latest reports. The final death toll is not clear due to government TV shutdown and internet shutdown.
Chhatra League activists along with police pelted the protesters with stones—Photo: Reuters
