Protests in Bangladesh

Overview

• Schools and colleges shut down across the country.
• Government suspended mobile internet services.
• Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina facing allegations of dictatorship from protesters.
• Initial peaceful protests escalated into violence; military curfew declared.
• At least 150 deaths and thousands injured in the clashes.

Reasons for Protests

• Protests are mainly against the quota system for jobs in Bangladesh.
• Current quota system reserves:
  • 56% of public sector jobs reserved for various groups.
  • 30% reserved for descendants of freedom fighters.
  • Other reservations:
    • 10% for women
    • 10% for backward districts (Zila quota)
    • 5% for ethnic minorities
    • 1% for people with disabilities

Historical Context

• Bangladesh was formerly East Pakistan, facing discrimination under West Pakistan.
• Economic and political discrimination was rampant prior to independence.
• The 1970 elections favored Awami League; military coup and civil disobedience followed.
• Liberation War in 1971 led to independence with India's assistance.

Quota System Background

• Introduced in 1972 for freedom fighters.
• Extended to children in 1997 and grandchildren in 2010.
• Protests in 2012-13 against this quota system.
• In 2021, petitioners successfully reintroduced the quota system via the High Court.

Protesters' Demands

• Reform the quota system, eliminating most reservations except for ethnic minorities and disabilities.
• Argue that future descendants should not benefit from reservations based solely on grandparent's past.
• Claims of corruption and favoritism in the recognition of 'freedom fighters.'

Government's Response

• Government deployed 7,000 paramilitary troops; used tear gas and rubber bullets against protesters.
• Acknowledgment of protest but insistence on awaiting Supreme Court decisions.
• Formation of a Judicial Probe Committee to investigate violence incidents.

Political Landscape & Public Sentiment

• Accusations against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of misconduct and dictatorship.
• Allegations of electoral rigging in her last term.
• Public unrest mirrored through slogans and protest movements.

Theoretical Perspectives

• The protests highlight the need for job creation as a long-term solution to unemployment issues.
• Unemployment rates high; approximately 30 million out of 110 million in the workforce are unemployed.
• Quota system seen as a symptom rather than the main disease (unemployment).

Comparison to Other Countries

• Discussed media narratives around protests related to caste discrimination in India.
• Emphasis on different contexts of reservations in India versus Bangladesh.

Conclusion

• Urgent need for understanding and addressing the economic and societal needs of Bangladeshi youth.
• Suggestions for improved policies beyond just quota reform.