Bangladesh Lockdown: Army Deployed, 105 Dead, 2500 Injured in Reservation Protests; 405 Indian Students Return Home
A curfew has been imposed across Bangladesh amid violent protests against reservations in government jobs. The announcement was made by Obaidul Quader, the General Secretary of the ruling Awami League party, on Friday night (July 19). He stated that the military has been deployed to control the violence.
The curfew was declared by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government after police and security personnel fired on protesters during the day on Friday. Media reports indicate that several people have been killed. The government has also banned all gatherings in the capital, Dhaka.
According to AFP reports, student protesters attacked a prison in the Narsingdi district on Friday. After freeing hundreds of prisoners, they set the place on fire. Earlier on Thursday, hundreds of protesters stormed the BTV office campus and set over 60 vehicles ablaze. On the same day, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave an interview to BTV.
Death Toll Rises to 105 in Violent Protests
According to hospital sources, at least 105 people have died this week in clashes between student protesters and the police. Over 2,500 have been injured. Independent Television reported 17 deaths on Friday alone, while Somoy TV claimed 30 deaths.
An Associated Press journalist saw 23 bodies at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, though it is unclear if all these deaths occurred on Friday. Previously, 22 people were reported dead on Thursday (July 18).
405 Indian Students Return Home Amid Rising Tensions in Bangladesh
Amid rising tensions in Bangladesh, 405 Indian students have returned home so far. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma announced on Friday that Indian students were evacuated from Bangladesh through the Dawki Integrated Check Post. Among them, around 80 are from Meghalaya, and the rest are from other states. Some students and travelers from Nepal and Bhutan were also evacuated.
The Chief Minister of Meghalaya mentioned that approximately 36 students are stranded at Eastern Medical College in Bangladesh. “We are in contact with the authorities there. The situation in and around the college is stable. However, the parents of the students are worried about the situation,” he said.
He emphasized the need to monitor the situation closely until the Indian government can ensure the route is completely clear and safe. Only then will the students be brought back to India.
It is estimated that there are around 15,000 Indian citizens in Bangladesh, including about 8,500 students.
Reasons for the Protests Over Reservation in Bangladesh
Bangladesh gained independence in 1971. According to reports from the Bangladeshi newspaper Daily Star, an 80% quota system was implemented starting that year. This system reserved 30% of jobs for the children of freedom fighters, 40% for candidates from backward districts, and 10% for women, leaving only 20% of the positions available for general students.
In 1976, the reservation for backward districts was reduced to 20%, increasing the seats for general students to 40%. By 1985, the reservation for backward districts was further reduced to 10%, and a 5% quota for minorities was added, resulting in 45% of the positions being available for general students.
Initially, the reservations were only for the sons and daughters of freedom fighters, but in 2009, it was extended to include their grandchildren. In 2012, a 1% quota was added for students with disabilities, bringing the total quota to 56%.
Government Reinstates Quota System Six Years After Abolishment
Six years ago, in 2018, the government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina abolished the quota system following four months of student protests. However, on June 5th of last month, the Supreme Court ordered the government to reinstate the reservation system. The court mandated that the quotas be re-implemented in the same manner as they were before 2018.
The Craze for Government Jobs in Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, like in India, government jobs are a major source of employment. Every year, over 400,000 students compete for 3,000 positions in the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC).
Due to the absence of quotas for several years, merit had a significant influence on the selection process. However, students now fear that more than half of the positions will be taken by those eligible for quotas.
These students are now demanding equal rights for all candidates. They argue that there is no justification for reserving seats for the grandchildren of freedom fighters. They believe that government jobs should be based on merit, not quotas.
Government Ready for Talks, Protesters Refuse
On Thursday, the government expressed its willingness to engage in negotiations. However, the protesters declined the offer for talks, stating that negotiations and gunfire cannot happen simultaneously.
