There is a nation-wide protest in Bangladesh against the quota system in government jobs. This quota system reserves 30 % of government jobs to the families of those veterans who served in 1971 war of independence of Bangladesh.
Graduates are not having any jobs, un-employment rate is increasing in Bangladesh. In spite of the protest, the state has shut down mobile networks and internet service. At least 6 students have been died and several being injured.
The protests are the first significant challenge to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government since she won a fourth straight term in January in an election boycotted by the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addressed the ongoing student protests regarding the quota system in government jobs. She mentioned that on August 7, the Supreme Court is set to review the government’s challenge to a High Court decision. This decision had mandated the restoration of a 30% job quota for descendants of freedom fighters who participated in the 1971 independence war against Pakistan. Hasina urged the protesting students to remain calm and wait for the court’s ruling before taking further action. The Prime Minister’s statement comes amid growing tensions over the controversial quota system, which has sparked widespread demonstrations across the country.
The prime minister also referred to those opposing the quotas as “razakar”, a term used for those who allegedly collaborated with the Pakistani army during the 1971 war.
