Presently, an atmosphere of instability grips Bangladesh. The country has witnessed the loss of over a hundred lives and the injury of hundreds more.
In response to the ongoing protests, the government has implemented a curfew. The turmoil started when thousands of university students took to the streets in opposition to a newly introduced quota system for government jobs.
This controversial system reserves one-third of public sector positions for the relatives of veterans who fought in the 1971 war for independence from Pakistan.
The students argue that this practice is discriminatory and are advocating for government appointments to be based on merit.
Against the unfair quota system of providing jobs
The demonstrations, which began as peaceful expressions of dissent, have now evolved into a highly charged and volatile situation impacting the nation.
According to reports from Bangladeshi commentators, university students have taken proactive steps to amplify the scope of the protests by appointing designated protest coordinators.
Additionally, the involvement of civil society has significantly complicated the authorities’ ability to manage and mitigate the ongoing demonstrations.
There have been concerning reports of excessive and violent tactics being employed by both the police and the Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of the ruling Awami League, against peaceful protestors, further fuelling an increasingly aggressive atmosphere.
A situation similar to the struggle in Sri Lanka
According to various media sources, there are reports of ongoing protests in Bangladesh that resemble those that unfolded in Sri Lanka in recent years.
Sri Lankan society, grappling with an economic crisis, peacefully initiated a large-scale struggle that led to the immediate resignation of President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.
This movement resulted in the departure of not only President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa but also high-ranking government officials, including the Prime Minister and Ministers. There is a prevailing belief that a similar situation is unfolding in Bangladesh.
Jails and state TV set ablaze
Recently, it was reported that protesters in Bangladesh broke into a prison and set fire to the country’s national television station.
As a result, the country’s media has suspended all news broadcasts. Initially started by university students, the protests have turned violent and gained support from the entire society.
The Bangladesh government’s harsh response to the demonstrations has escalated the situation. Additionally, youth groups associated with the ruling Awami League have targeted the protesting students.
Consequently, the government has decided to indefinitely close schools and universities due to the tense situation in the country.
Serious threat to the Hasina’s regime
The government has implemented measures to block internet and telephone connections throughout the country in an attempt to control the violent situation.
However, moderates in the country argue that this has only escalated the student protest, resulting in more violence.
Hundreds of inmates escaped from Narsingdi Jail after it was stormed by rowdy protesters who are also supporting the protest. The protesters set fire to the prison, posing a severe threat to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year rule.
Meanwhile, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller has stated that the situation in Bangladesh is under close observation. The United States has also emphasised protecting people’s right to protest peacefully.
110 dead – thousands injured
The protest-related death toll has tragically risen to over 100, with some reports suggesting it could be as high as 110-120.
The police crackdown has led to thousands of injuries and the majority of the fatalities. As tensions continue to grip the nation, the government has enforced a ban on public gatherings and imposed a nationwide curfew.
The government has deployed military units nationwide to bolster security in response to the escalating situation. Despite attempts at negotiations between the government and the protesters, a resolution has not been reached.
In support of the student protests, the Bangladesh National Party, the leading opposition party, has called on the public to defend democracy by backing the ongoing demonstrations.
The opposition has emphasised the need to protest the government’s practices in job allocation within the civil service, highlighting concerns that the proposed new system would only benefit a privileged minority.
Worst case scenario
Bangladesh, with a total population of 170 million, has a history of protests, but the current situation is unprecedented.
The government has implemented extreme measures by blocking communication services, shutting down internet access, and limiting telephone services.As a result, clashes erupted last Monday, leading to a significant increase in violence.
Sameena Lutfa, an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Dhaka University, highlights that the ongoing struggle has transcended being solely a student protest, as people from all segments of society are now actively participating in the movement.
Not reaping the benefits of economic development
Bangladesh has been making remarkable strides as one of the fastest-growing economies globally.
However, there is a growing concern that the advantages of this progress are not trickling down to the highly educated individuals at the university level. The nation is witnessing a staggering 18 million young people actively seeking employment, underscoring the magnitude of the issue.
The unemployment rate among graduates is considerably higher than that of individuals with lower educational qualifications.
Despite Bangladesh’s substantial export of ready-made garments valued at about US$40 billion to the global market, there are mounting criticisms regarding the country’s alleged lack of attention to the needs of its university-educated youth.
The development achieved by the Hasina regime
The garment sector provides employment to over 4 million people, predominantly women. Despite this significant employment, economic analysts emphasise that the industry alone cannot fully address the issue of unemployment.
Over the 15-year tenure of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, there has been remarkable infrastructure development, including the construction of new roads, bridges, factories and the introduction of a metro rail service in Dhaka.
Notably, the per capita income has tripled in the past decade, and the World Bank reports that over 25 million individuals have risen above the poverty line in the last 20 years.
However, there are concerns that the benefits of these advancements are not distributed equitably, with allegations that only those affiliated with Prime Minister Hasina’s Awami League party receive the majority of the benefits.
The position of the opposition
In 2014 and 2024, the major opposition party in Bangladesh, the Bangladesh National Party, chose to boycott the elections.
They expressed serious doubts about the electoral process’s fairness under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership.
The party had proposed the idea of holding elections under a neutral caretaker regime to ensure fairness, but their proposal was not heeded. During this time, human rights groups have reported more than 80 cases of individuals disappearing over 15 years.
Activists claim that those who openly criticised the government have gone missing. There are also allegations that Sheikh Hasina has increasingly exercised authoritarian control.
This situation has led to frustration and resentment towards the government and the ruling party.
In response, Bangladeshi youth groups have been calling for change and participating in protests to express their discontent with the government’s actions.
Future of Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, university students have risen as a potent force affecting political change. Their sustained protest movement represents a formidable challenge to the existing Hasina regime.
This situation has now escalated to the point where the protesters, spearheaded by university students, are demanding the immediate ousting of the Hasina government.
Consequently, a critical problem has unfolded, impacting the future political landscape and the overall standing of the nation. Therefore, this tumultuous period can be defined as a pivotal juncture that will shape the country’s future trajectory.
