Student protests over a quota reform for government jobs in Bangladesh have led to the country’s worst unrest in living memory, resulting in over a hundred deaths. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government has imposed a nationwide curfew and deployed the military to control the situation.
Local news outlets have been largely cut off from the internet, telephone, and SMS connections, leaving the country isolated from the rest of the world. DW’s correspondents in Dhaka reported that protesters are refusing to back down even after clashes with security forces, leading to a high risk of casualties.
The protests began against a court order to reinstate quotas for government jobs, which had been abolished in 2018 following massive student demonstrations. The quota system reserves over half of civil service jobs for specific groups, sparking outrage among students seeking government employment.
The unrest has paralyzed Bangladesh’s capital, with streets empty and shops closed. While many support the students’ demand for quota reform, divisions in the population remain on how to address the issue without toppling the government.
Prime Minister Hasina canceled her diplomatic tour due to the escalating violence and imposed a curfew, with the situation showing no signs of calming down in the coming days.
Editor: Ben Knight
