Amid escalating political unrest in Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been forced to relocate from her official residence, Ganabhaban, to a safer location, alongside her sister. Sources revealed that although she intended to address the nation, circumstances prevented her from doing so.
In an address to the nation, Bangladesh’s army chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, announced the formation of an interim government amidst the political transition. He assured that all cases of murder during the protests would be investigated and urged citizens to maintain peace and order, emphasizing the need for cooperation to sustain the nation’s progress.
The recent wave of violence has resulted in nearly 100 fatalities on Sunday alone, bringing the death toll to over 300. The unrest follows closely on the heels of last month’s violent protests, where at least 150 people were killed and thousands injured during demonstrations led by student groups against reserved quotas in government jobs.
Background of the Protests:
The ‘Students Against Discrimination’ group, which spearheaded last month’s job quota protests, is now leading the current demonstrations. Initially, the protests paused after the Supreme Court abolished most quotas on July 21. However, protesters returned, demanding a public apology from Hasina for the violence, restoration of internet connections, reopening of educational institutions, and the release of arrested individuals. The situation has since escalated, with demonstrators now calling for Hasina’s resignation and seeking justice for those killed in previous protests.
Protesters’ Grievances:
Protesters blame Hasina’s government for the excessive use of force during the July demonstrations. Hasina’s critics, including various rights groups, accuse the government of resorting to violence against protesters, a claim the government denies. Initially, Hasina’s government attributed the violence to the Islamic party, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), rather than students. However, as violence erupted again, Hasina labeled the perpetrators as terrorists seeking to destabilize the nation. The students’ group has rejected Hasina’s offer for talks.
Roots of the Job-Quota Protests:
The protests originated at university campuses in June after the High Court reinstated a quota system for government jobs, reversing a 2018 decision by Hasina’s government to abolish it. The Supreme Court subsequently suspended the High Court order and directed that 93% of government jobs be allocated based on merit.
Economic Challenges:
The unrest is also fueled by Bangladesh’s stagnant job growth in the private sector, making public sector jobs highly sought after for their regular wage increases and privileges. With nearly 32 million young people unemployed or out of education in a population of 170 million, the quotas sparked widespread anger among students. The economy, once among the fastest-growing globally due to the booming garments sector, has slowed down, with inflation around 10% per annum and shrinking dollar reserves.
Political Context:
Hasina secured a fourth consecutive term in the January general election, which was boycotted by the BNP, accusing her Awami League of attempting to legitimize a sham election. The BNP claims that 10 million party workers were on the run before the election, with nearly 25,000 arrested following deadly anti-government protests in October 2023.
As Bangladesh navigates through this period of political turbulence, the call for Hasina’s resignation and the demand for justice by the protesters continue to shape the nation’s political landscape.