Summary
Students in Bangladesh have called for a march to Dhaka on Monday, challenging a nationwide curfew. The main aim of the protestors is to pressure Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign after deadly clashes on Sunday that killed over 100 people.
Army tanks and patrol vehicles are currently patrolling the capital Dhaka’s streets. Security forces conduct foot patrols while the civilian population remains sparse. Only a few motorcycles and three-wheel taxis move about the city.
Violence on Sunday claimed at least 100 lives and injured hundreds. The Bangladeshi police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse thousands of protestors. The death toll, which included 13 police officers, was the largest in recent protests in the South Asian country.
Authorities declared an indefinite nationwide curfew starting Sunday evening. They also announced a three-day general holiday beginning Monday. The government has suspended all train services and closed the country’s garment industry indefinitely.
Protesters Demand Bangladesh PM’s Resignation
Bangladesh’s current unrest is rooted in student activism that began last month. It began when the student groups protested against the controversial quota system in government jobs. They sought reforms to make the job allocation process more equitable.
Over time, however, the movement has undergone a sea of change. What began as a protest over a policy change has since taken on various other scales and become larger. Furthermore, the most pressing demand of the protestors is the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Leaders of the protest say that Hasina’s long tenure has led to anti-democratism. They accuse the government of stifling public opinion, curtailing press freedom and rigging elections. The government’s recent violent treatment of the demonstrators with large losses of life and the suppression of the protests has only deepened the criticisms.
Protestors seek the PM’s resignation as an opportunity to rectify mistakes in Bangladesh’s political climate. They believe if she leaves, it may create conditions for a fairer election under a neutral caretaker administration. It would help the transitional government break down the vicious circle which has gripped the country for many years.
Violence Spreads Across the Country
Attacks, vandalism, and arson have targeted government buildings, ruling party offices, and police stations. Violence has affected 39 of Bangladesh’s 64 districts.
The garment industry, a crucial sector for Bangladesh’s economy, has closed all factories nationwide. This decision aims to ensure worker safety amidst the unrest.
Army’s Role Under Scrutiny
Retired military officers have urged Hasina to withdraw troops from the streets. They advocate for political solutions to resolve the crisis. The Army Chief of Staff cancelled a planned media briefing without explanation.
The government has also shut down high-speed internet services. Popular platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp are inaccessible, even through broadband connections.
Opposition Calls for International Intervention
Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, has appealed to the global community. He urges international actors to support “truth and justice” in Bangladesh’s current crisis.
The ongoing protests in Bangladesh have now reached a crucial point with students joining the fray of protestors calling for a nationwide march despite a nationwide curfew. The escalating violence, disruption to daily life and the government response have pushed the nation into crisis.
