Bangladesh Quota Protest
In shorts
In Bangladesh, government positions were reserved for those who were children of independence fighters at a rate of thirty percent (30%). Bangladesh is presently seeing protests over this reservation.
It was thought that the protests would stop after the decision of the Supreme Court on July 21, but that did not happen. The movement grew even more hostile. In spite of the ongoing casualties, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned.
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Bangladesh Quota Protest
Let’s Understand Events Chronology…
A neighboring country: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation and the occupation of her palace by protesters marked a recent escalation in the continuing instability in Bangladesh.
It is said that she is no longer in the nation. In response, the Army Chief issued a statement asking protesters to demonstrate discipline. Protests over government employment reservations triggered the violence, which resulted in more than 300 deaths. The anger was not controlled by actions such as setting curfews, switching off mobile internet, and calling for a national holiday.
The United Nations urged that the violence in Bangladesh cease immediately, and a number of nations, including America and India, have issued cautions for their residents.
What is current situation or what’s happening now in Bangladesh
Amid widespread protests in the nation, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina departed Dhaka with her sister, raising rumors of her resignation.
The Prime Minister’s home has been seized by protesters. About 100 people died as a result of the violence on Sunday, Thirteen officers lost their lives in an attack on a police station earlier on July 19, totaling 67 casualties.
Workers of the ruling party and students participating in protests have also clashed. Leaders and workers of the Awami League have occasionally died.
What triggered violence in Bangladesh?
In 1971, Bangladesh gained independence from Pakistan after the Liberation War. In 1972, 30% job reservation was given to freedom fighters’ descendants. Protests against this began in late June, initially non-violent. By July 15, thousands clashed with police and supporters of the ruling party at Dhaka University, resulting in at least 100 injuries. The protests continue in Bangladesh over the job reservation issue.
Why anarchy spread now, while reservation was given in 1972
Story begins in 1972 – when established reservation system for government employment was terminated by the government in 2018. However, nationwide protests were sparked when the High Court declared the government’s intention of reviving the system unconstitutional in June. The reinstatement of the order was postponed as a result of the Sheikh Hasina government’s Supreme Court challenge to the court’s decision.
Student demonstrations intensified after Prime Minister Hasina declined to respond to protestor demands because of current legal procedures. In addition, she called the demonstrators “Razakar,” a name connected to conspiracy in the 1971 battle for Bangladesh’s independence.
Reservation system that made a such violence in Bangladesh
Bangladesh’s reservation system for government jobs, established in 1972 with 30% reserved for freedom fighters’ families, saw various changes.
In 2018, 56% was reserved for different categories, including 10% for women, those from backward districts, 5% for religious minorities, and 1% for disabled individuals.
However, on July 21, the Supreme Court of Bangladesh abolished most of the reservation amidst violent protests against the system.
Supreme Court Judgement on reservation?
The Supreme Court recently decided that descendants of freedom fighters would only be eligible for 5% of civil service positions, with an extra 2% going to minorities or those with disabilities.
The prior decision to reserve all civil service posts will be invalidated with the remaining 93% of positions being available to all candidates on the basis of merit.
What happened post judgement?
It was believed that the protests would stop after the decision of the Supreme Court, but this did not happen, and the movement got even more violent.
Student groups started asking for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation, arguing that the decision of the Supreme Court will not put a stop to the protests.
Final Decision of Bangladesh Government on the issue caused
In response to the recent disruption, Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called a meeting of the National Security Panel. She urged the people to put an end to the activists’ moves, claiming that they were terrorists no student who are trying to spread trouble or violence across the country
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned and left Dhaka
The continuous protests in Bangladesh against reservations have turned violent recently. On the streets, there are thousands of protesters. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and quit Dhaka as a result of the violent riots.
Protesters celebrated the PM’s resignation from Dhaka by bursting into her official residence after she left.
