Quota reform movement: violence grips Bangladesh, govt ready to talk
A nationwide shutdown on Thursday turned violent as clashes between quota reform protesters and police resulted in at least four deaths and hundreds of injuries. Demonstrators, who had called for a complete shutdown, are demanding a reform of the controversial quota system and protesting against recent attacks on student activists.
Protesters took to the streets, blocking major highways, disrupting rail services, and paralyzing metro rail operations in Dhaka. The unrest follows ongoing demonstrations that began on July 1, with students and teachers calling for urgent reforms in government job quotas.
The Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq stated the government is open to dialogue, affirming that both he and Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury are ready to engage in talks with protesters. “The Prime Minister has given us the responsibility to hold talks, and we are willing to meet them at any time,” he said during a media briefing.
In response to the escalating violence, the Indian High Commission in Dhaka issued an advisory urging Indian nationals and students to limit their movements and avoid local travel.
To maintain order, the government has deployed 229 platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) alongside various police units across the country. This is a critical measure given the heightened tensions following previous violent encounters, where six individuals died on Tuesday amid clashes involving police and ruling party-affiliated groups.
The protests were ignited by a High Court ruling on June 5, 2024, which declared the 2018 circular that canceled the 30% job quota for freedom fighters’ descendants as illegal, reinstating the quotas once more.
The United Nations has called on the Bangladeshi government to protect the protesting students from violence. UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric expressed concern about the ongoing situation and urged authorities to ensure the safety of demonstrators.
In light of the unrest, the University Grants Commission has ordered the closure of all public and private universities, along with affiliated medical colleges, until further notice. The Education Ministry has also announced the closure of all secondary and higher secondary institutions, including polytechnic colleges.
The quota system, which reserves 30% of government jobs for freedom fighters and their descendants, has been a contentious issue since its introduction after Bangladesh’s independence. The system expanded in subsequent years, leading to a series of protests against perceived inequities in its implementation.
As the situation continues to evolve, the government remains under pressure to address the demands of the protesters and restore calm in the nation.
