Bangladesh Student Leaders Rally for Civil Disobedience Campaign
Student leaders in Bangladesh mobilized citizens on Saturday for a nationwide civil disobedience campaign following a deadly police crackdown on protesters. The unrest, triggered by rallies against civil service job quotas, resulted in over 200 deaths last month.
Despite troop deployments to restore order, large crowds continued to take to the streets after Friday prayers, responding to the student leaders’ call for more concessions from the government. The group Students Against Discrimination urged fellow citizens to join an all-out non-cooperation movement starting Sunday.
Demands include a public apology from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for the violence, the dismissal of government ministers, and the reopening of schools and universities. Calls for Hasina to step down have also been voiced, amid allegations of government misuse of power and suppression of dissent.
The protests initially focused on a quota scheme for government jobs, which has since been revised by the top court. With millions of young Bangladeshis facing unemployment, the unrest escalated due to attacks on demonstrators and an ensuing nationwide curfew and internet shutdown.
32 children killed
Foreign entities have condemned the government’s actions, with calls for an international investigation into the use of force against protesters. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan defended security forces’ actions, citing the need to protect government buildings.
Notably, the UN reported that at least 32 children were among those killed in last month’s turmoil. The situation remains volatile as student leaders vow to continue their protests for accountability and justice.