Bangladesh witnesses students' uprising

Students want job quotas to be revisited

Sheikh Hasina has flown out of country

Bangladesh has been gripped by widespread protests initiated by students demanding reforms to the civil service quota system. The demonstrations began with students arguing that the existing quotas unfairly benefit loyalists of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ruling party, the Awami League. The discontent has since broadened, with protesters accusing Hasina’s government of autocratic practices and suppressing dissent.

Also Read: MEA cautions Indian travellers against visiting Bangladesh

The government’s attempts to quell the unrest, including closing schools and universities, have proven ineffective. A Supreme Court ruling against reintroducing job quotas did not fully satisfy the protesters, who continue to call for the abolition of all job reservations for children of “freedom fighters.” This partial concession has done little to stem the tide of discontent.

The situation escalated further when former army chief General Ikbal Karim Bhuiyan criticized the government’s handling of the protests and called for troop withdrawal. The current army chief’s supportive stance toward the protesters has added fuel to the unrest.

Despite the government’s stringent measures, including violent crackdowns and mass arrests, the protests persist, reflecting a broader dissatisfaction with Hasina’s rule. Demonstrators continue to rally against what they perceive as systemic injustices and the suppression of democratic freedoms. The international community watches closely as the situation develops, with calls for the Bangladeshi government to adopt a more rights-respecting approach to addressing the demands of its citizens.

As Bangladesh navigates this turbulent period, the voices of the protesters highlight a critical demand for genuine reform and the protection of democratic principles in the nation​.