Bangladesh protests surge over quota system, leaving over 100 dead

Protests over quotas reserved for families of those who participated in Bangladesh’s 1971 Independence War are intensifying, leaving 105 dead and several others injured.

What began as university student demonstrations have escalated nationwide, resulting in a rising number of casualties.

Since Tuesday, clashes between students demanding the elimination of the quota system and police have led to 105 deaths and thousands of injuries.

In response, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government has imposed a nationwide curfew and deployed the military.

The curfew will remain in effect until 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, and the government has indicated it may reassess the situation and take further action.

Mobile internet services have been suspended nationwide, and access to social media platforms has been restricted.

Additionally, news websites based in Bangladesh are inaccessible outside the country.

Public sector quotas

In Bangladesh, 56% of public sector job positions are reserved for specific demographic groups, with 30% allocated to families of those who fought in the 1971 Independence War.

These quotas were abolished in 2018 following widespread protests.

However, the High Court reinstated the quota system last month, sparking the ongoing wave of protests.