In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing student protests, Bangladesh has imposed a nationwide curfew and deployed military forces to quell the unrest. The decision to impose a curfew comes as the “Bangladesh Imposes Curfew as Job Quota Protests Intensify,” marking a significant turning point in the government’s response to the demonstrations that have rocked the country for days.
The announcement that “Bangladesh Imposes Curfew as Job Quota Protests Intensify” was made by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s press secretary, Nayeemul Islam Khan, who stated that the government had decided to deploy the military in aid of civilian authorities. This drastic measure follows days of violent clashes between protesters and security forces across the country, particularly in the capital city of Dhaka.
The protests, which began in response to a High Court order on June 5 reinstating a 30 percent reservation of government jobs for children of veterans who participated in the country’s 1971 liberation movement, have grown increasingly violent. The government’s decision to impose a curfew and deploy the military reflects the severity of the situation and the authorities’ struggle to maintain control.
The curfew, which took effect immediately upon announcement, comes amid a telecommunications blackout that has left the country of 170 million people largely cut off from the outside world. The internet shutdown, implemented by the government in an attempt to hinder the organization of rallies, has added to the confusion and unrest pervading the nation.
In Dhaka, a city of 20 million people, police had earlier banned all public gatherings for the day – a first since the protests began. However, this measure proved ineffective in preventing further confrontations between law enforcement and demonstrators. The sprawling metropolis has become a focal point of the unrest, with clashes erupting in various locations despite the government’s efforts to suppress the demonstrations.
The escalation of the protests can be traced back to Monday when student protesters were allegedly attacked by activists of the Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League party. This incident sparked a wave of violent confrontations that have since spread across the country.
Thursday saw a particularly violent day of protests, with thousands of students clashing with armed police in Dhaka. Reports indicate that at least 11 people were killed, including a bus driver and a student. However, the true extent of the casualties remains unclear, with some local media outlets reporting significantly higher death tolls. Al Jazeera has been unable to independently verify these numbers, highlighting the challenges in obtaining accurate information amid the communications blackout.
The government’s response to the protests has been multifaceted. In addition to the curfew and military deployment, authorities have shut down all public and private universities and sent security forces onto campuses. This move aims to prevent further gatherings and limit the spread of the protests.
Despite these measures, the government has expressed a willingness to meet with student leaders to discuss their grievances. However, demonstrators have stated that they want accountability for the killings that have occurred during the protests before engaging in any compromise discussions with the authorities.
The implementation of the curfew is expected to add to the public’s confusion and sense of unrest. Al Jazeera’s Tanvir Chowdhury, reporting from Dhaka, noted that people have been unable to go out for the past two days due to the shutdown, and now face further restrictions with the curfew in place. The complete internet blackout since Thursday evening has further complicated the situation, leaving many citizens feeling isolated and uninformed.
Chowdhury suggested that the government’s decision to impose a curfew stems from a sense that it is losing control of the protests. By keeping students and the public off the streets, authorities hope to regain the upper hand in managing the unrest. However, this approach may backfire, as protesters appear to be in “no mood for compromise,” while the government is “increasingly losing control of the situation on the street despite using paramilitary forces and police.”
The root cause of the protests lies in the contentious issue of job quotas in government positions. The High Court’s decision to reinstate the 30 percent reservation for children of liberation war veterans has sparked outrage among students who feel that the quota system unfairly disadvantages those without such family connections. This sentiment has tapped into broader frustrations about employment opportunities and social mobility in Bangladesh.
The protests have highlighted the deep-seated tensions within Bangladeshi society regarding the allocation of government jobs and the perceived fairness of the current system. While the government argues that the quota system honors the sacrifices made during the liberation war, many young people see it as an obstacle to their career prospects and a form of discrimination.
The ongoing unrest has also raised concerns about the state of democracy and freedom of expression in Bangladesh. The government’s heavy-handed response, including the communications blackout and deployment of military forces, has drawn criticism from human rights organizations and international observers. There are fears that these measures could lead to further human rights violations and suppress legitimate forms of protest and dissent.
As the situation continues to evolve, the international community is closely monitoring developments in Bangladesh. The imposition of a curfew and the deployment of military forces represent a significant escalation in the government’s approach to handling the protests. How these measures will impact the trajectory of the demonstrations and the broader political landscape in Bangladesh remains to be seen.
The coming days will be crucial in determining whether the government’s strategy will succeed in quelling the unrest or if it will further inflame tensions. The protesters’ demand for accountability for the deaths that have occurred during the demonstrations presents a significant challenge for the authorities. Balancing the need for public order with addressing the legitimate grievances of the protesters will require careful negotiation and potentially significant concessions from the government.
The decision to impose a curfew and deploy military forces in Bangladesh marks a critical juncture in the ongoing job quota protests. As the country grapples with this crisis, the actions of both the government and the protesters in the coming days will shape the future of this movement and potentially have far-reaching implications for Bangladesh’s political and social landscape. The world watches with concern as this South Asian nation navigates through one of its most challenging periods in recent years.
