BANGLADESH Six dead in student protests in Bangladesh: universities closed

The protests against the controversial quota system, which have mobilised thousands of young people, have been inflamed by Hasina’s words calling them “razakar”, fighters for Pakistan in 1971. Six of them were victims of violence by the police and the student wing of the Awami League party. Christian leaders: “Quotas protect the most marginalised: they can be reformed, but not abolished.”

Dhaka () – At least six people have died – two in Dhaka, three in Chittagong and one in Rangpur – in new outbreaks of violence following the Student protests against government employment quotaswhich began earlier this month. Police and supporters of the ruling Awami League party stepped up their attacks on protesters. The mood was exacerbated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s remarks on Sunday that the government could not resolve the issue – by introducing a merit-based system – because of judicial constraints. The protests were also intensified by Hasina’s calling the protesters “razakars” – collaborators of the Pakistani army during the 1971 liberation war.

In response to the massive clashes that broke out yesterday in several parts of Bangladesh, including the capital, all universities in the country were closed indefinitely, while students were ordered to vacate their residences. The University Grants Commission (UGC) issued instructions to the vice-chancellors of public and private universities. Secondary and higher educational institutions, including schools, colleges, madrasas, technical institutes and polytechnics, were also closed. The Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), a student youth organisation supported by the ruling party, was accused of attacking protesters at several universities outside Dhaka and Chittagong, in at least seven districts. In Faridpur, Barisal, Jhenaidah, Kishoreganj, Dinajpur, Rajshahi College and Naogaon Government Medical College, at least 68 people were injured in the clashes.

The students demanded the withdrawal of the prime minister’s comments and a logical resolution that does not benefit the relatives of the separatists as the current system does. The ongoing protests represent the first significant challenge to Hasina’s government since she secured a fourth consecutive term in office last January. Saddam Hussain, president of the BCL, the student wing of the Awami League party, also called the agitating students “ghosts of the Razakars”. “Movements come and go, but the Chhatra League will remain. Every action will be remembered and dealt with. Not a single incident will go unanswered,” he said. “There are no ordinary students participating in the quota protests at present. They are not seeking a solution, but to reintroduce the politics of the Razakars,” he added.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police raided the main opposition Bangladesh National Party (BNP) headquarters in Nayapaltan, Dhaka. Seven members of BNP-affiliated organisations, including Chhatra Dal, were arrested. Explosions were reported outside the office at around 11.30 pm and BNP officers recovered over 100 homemade explosives, petrol cylinders, batons and 60 weapons from inside.

Prominent Christian leaders opposed the students’ demands. Nirmol Rozario, president of the Bangladesh Christian Association (BCA), and its general secretary Hemant Corraya, said in a joint statement: “Recently, the student society has been protesting for the abolition of the quota system. In 2018, following the demands of the student society, the government cancelled the quota system and in 2021, some children of freedom fighters filed a petition in the High Court against it.” On June 5, the High Court ruled that the abolition of the quota system was not in accordance with the Constitution. Since then, protests have flared up again. “It is truly deplorable that students humiliate, defame and belittle freedom fighters.” Rozario and Corraya also noted that quota systems are designed to create equality by granting globally recognised advantages. While they acknowledged that reforms could be considered, they insisted that the quota system should not be abolished altogether as it benefits marginalised groups.