Rallying Cry: Bangladesh Students Unite for Civil Disobedience
Student leaders in Bangladesh led a nationwide call for civil disobedience as backlash mounted against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government following a deadly police crackdown on protesters. The unrest, sparked by rallies against civil service job quotas, resulted in over 200 deaths, prompting mass demonstrations in the country.
Students Against Discrimination, the group spearheading the protests, called for an all-out non-cooperation movement, demanding a public apology from Hasina and the dismissal of her ministers. They also pressed for the reopening of schools and universities shuttered during the upheaval.
Amidst growing calls for Hasina’s resignation, the premier offered dialogue with the students, signaling a potential shift in the government’s stance. The student-led movement draws inspiration from Bangladesh’s history of civil disobedience during its liberation war, highlighting a generational shift in the country’s political landscape.
As tensions escalate and international condemnation mounts, Bangladesh stands at a crossroads, with the government facing unprecedented pressure from its youth population.