Bangladesh Protests Explained

Sheikh Hasina has recently faced the biggest uprising in the 15 years she has held the post of Prime Minister. It has been estimated that over 300 people have lost their lives in the civil unrest which has been ongoing since the latter half of last month. 

What led to this deadly unrest?

The protests began as an agitation against an unjust quota system which reserves 30 percent of all government job seats for the family members of those who fought in the 1971 Bangladesh liberation war. The protestors claim that this system unjustly favours the ruling party, Awami League, and its supporters. Given the dire economic conditions of Bangladesh and the unemployment rate, the protestors demand that the reservation be scrapped.

The protests dramatically escalated when a controversial remark by Sheikh Hasina prompted the students of Dhaka University to join the streets in protest. The students also announced a “March to Dhaka” programme attacking and vandalising government offices and police stations on the way. Several clashes between the protestors and the leader of the Awami league and associated organisation broke out. The protestors against the law were also met by pro-government protestors on the road. The government fired tear gas bombs to disperse the protestors.

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The government’s response

To curb the civil disturbance, the Government announced a nation-wide curfew, a three day general holiday starting from Monday and shut down internet services. However, this did not stop the demonstrators. They blocked major highways and roads and also launched a nationwide non-cooperation program, further escalating the violence. By now, the unrest had spread across the entire country with people coming in regular confrontation with the police and other authorities. 

The government’s decision to shut down internet and telecommunication services backfired as it invited further protests and distress. Despite the government’s best efforts to restrain and curd the unrest, protestors kept defying government orders leading to more casualties. 

According to Sheikh Hasina, the protestors are not students but terrorists funded by China and Pakistan to cause instability in the land. 

The situation now

What started as a peaceful protest soon turned violent and also broadened its aim; the protestors later started demanding the resignation of Sheikh Hasina even after the reservation provisions were scrapped. They claimed that her rule is authoritarian, her practices are corrupt and the growth that Bangladesh has experienced during her reign has only helped those part of the Awami League.

The weeks of anti-government protests finally resulted in the demands of the protestors being fulfilled; Sheikh Hasina is now out of office. After she evacuated the country on Monday and sought refuge in India, her official residence in Dhaka has been stormed by huge crowds. The military has now formed an interim government in Bangladesh.