Bangladesh continues to suffer, 105 dead by now with 1000s injured

From the past week, Bangladesh is witnessing continues protest against the quota system that is recently revived by the high court up to 30%. By now 105 students have been killed by now in the conflict between the security forces, candidates of the ruling party and the students who are protesting.

Students Protest

The students have been protesting continuously against the unfair quota system that is favouring the children and grandchildren of the war veteran of 1971. There were many violent outbreaks between the students and the members of Awami League Party and the student protestor. The security forces are using rubber bullets and tear gas to stop the protestor.

Students started protesting from Dhaka University which is a mainstream university of Bangladesh. Dhaka University have seen terrifying events in its past, during the Bangladesh Independence War from Pakistan. Dhaka University was one of the main centres for the protestor meetings etc. Pakistani Army killed hundreds of protestor and freedom fighters present in Dhaka University.

International Reactions

In Bangladesh’s neighbouring country India, Protest have been held in major metropolitan city like Kolkata. The protest was organised by All India Democratic Students Organisation and All India Student Federation. The students of Kolkata marched from Lady Brabourne College to Bangladesh High Commission chanting slogans which were opposing the quota reserved for the descendants of the war veterans.

These students met with clashes with the local police detaining many of the protestors and now it has worsened cause the protestor have staged sit-in demanding the release of their peers. Their main saying is “As a student, it is my responsibility to raise my voice against the fascist government of Sheikh Hasina.

The United States of America have raised their concerned and talked about freedom of expression and peaceful assembly which triggered the Bangladeshi government and they claimed these accusations to be baseless and unsubstantiated, one of the ministers asked the U.S. to look at their own condition in matter of democracy before commenting on others.

The United Nations have also raised concern over the situation of protestor and their rights while living in a democratic nation. The Indian Embassy have released guidelines for Indians living in Bangladesh, the Embassy have told the Indians to not use local means of transport and told them to stay in their living premises as much as possible. Almost 405 Indian Students have been evacuated from the conflict zone as a safety measure.

The hashtag #savebanngladeshistudents is trending all over the world showcasing eighty thousand photos and videos supporting the Bangladeshi students and describing the current situation of them through their eyes.

Government of Sheikh Hasina

The government has denied to meet the demands of the student protestor and they called them Anti-nationalist or Razakars (someone who helped the Pakistani army in the Bangladesh Independence war of 1971). Nationwide curfew is imposed all over Bangladesh and army have given the rights to control the protest, a “shoot-at-sight” has also been issued. Internet services have also been shut down to decrease the protest and rumours regarding the protest.

Sheikh Hasina have showed sympathy towards the deceased students and called for judiciary enquiry to look upon the police shootings. The Hasina government have also invited students to have a talk with the government and solve this matter peacefully.

On 21^st July, 2024 Appellate Division of Bangladesh will look into the matter of the controversial quota system which took lives of 105 students by now.  The Prime Minister have also requested the students to wait for the supreme court order and hope for a positive favourable result.

Overall, Bangladesh is burning now and all the Bangladeshi citizens are in terrible plight fighting between life and death. 21^st july’s verdict will decide the future of the protest as well as the Bangladeshi students.