Government’s heavy-handed response and broader discontent in Bangladesh

Quota Reform Movement:

by Anushka Kahandagamage

The Quota Reform Movement in Bangladesh, which began as a peaceful student-led protest against the reinstatement of a controversial quota system in civil service jobs, has tragically devolved into violence and chaos. The movement’s initial goal was to seek a fairer allocation of government job quotas, particularly questioning the 30% reservation for the descendants of freedom fighters. However, as the protests gained momentum, a third party with ulterior political motives exploited the situation, leading to severe confrontations and unfortunate loss of life. Since July 16, 2024, when the first student fatality was reported, the death toll has risen dramatically. As of 27 July, 209 deaths were reported in the clashes according to a report by Dhaka based leading Bengali Newspaper ‘Daily Prothom Alo’. This death count is based on sources from some hospitals, people who brought the bodies and the relatives of the deceased. However, this information is not from all the hospitals. Most of the dead are very young students, and even children and members of the general population.

The government’s response, which included shutting down the internet and deploying the military, only exacerbated tensions and fueled further unrest​.

In Bangladesh, the history of the quota system shows tesions. In 2018, Prime Minister Hasina’s previous government eliminated the quota system. However, in June 2024, the High Court reinstated the quotas, ruling that the 2018 government order was illegal.This decision reignited the protests, which quickly spread across the nation. On July 21, 2024, the Supreme Court responded to the escalating unrest by modifying the quota system, allocating 93% of government jobs based on merit and 7% for the descendants of freedom fighters and other groups. Despite this change, it failed to resolve the issue.

Adding to the chaos, there have been fires at significant establishments, including the Bangladesh Television (BTV) headquarters and parts of the metro rail infrastructure. These acts of arson have caused extensive damage to property and further disrupted daily life, symbolizing the severe state of turmoil gripping the nation.​

The movement started with a legitimate and reasonable demand: the reform of a deeply flawed quota system in civil service jobs. Students argued that reserving a significant portion of these jobs for descendants of freedom fighters was unfair and discriminatory, particularly in a country grappling with high unemployment rates. However, as the government met these protests with aggressive crackdowns, the situation quickly escalated.

Monowara Begum’s heart-wrenching cry, “Is it a crime to seek a job?” echoes the sentiments of many parents who have lost their children in this violent struggle. Her son, Abu Sayed, was among those who fell victim to the state’s excessive use of force, a stark example of the tragic consequences of using lethal means against peaceful protestors.

The 25-year-old student held his chest after being hit as the officers fired two more times from about 15 meters away. Sayed, who did not pose any clear threat to the police, attempted to protect himself with a stick. Moments later, he collapsed and died.

We see that not only students from public universities but also those from private universities and colleges have joined this movement as well. Even the number of female protesters from different universities is very significant. Some younger students aged between 14-16 also raised their voices in the streets in other cities of the country. Whenever there is a student protest for any legitimate demand, the government in Bngladesh generally claims that it is a conspiracy by anti-independence elements or opposition parties. By making such claims, they create a justification for brutally suppressing the movement. Then, the government’s student wing, Bangladesh Chhatra League, starts attacking the protesters and the general body of students. The government deepens the divisions among Bangladeshi students by provoking and manipulating them to turn against one another.This time is no different. Ordinary students are being attacked by the police and Chhatra League, resulting in the deaths of many protesters. The movement has spread across Bangladesh.

While the initial protests were peaceful, it became evident that third-party elements infiltrated the movement, escalating violence for political and other gains. This infiltration has not only exacerbated the conflict, but has also provided the government with a pretext to suppress the protests under the guise of maintaining law and order.

The government’s response has been draconian. Imposing a nationwide curfew and deploying the military has only fueled public anger and resistance. Shutting down internet services to stifle coordination among protestors and control the narrative is a gross violation of freedom of expression and assembly. Such measures only deepen the mistrust between the government and its citizens. The Detective Branch (DB) of the police has taken three coordinators of the quota reform movement, including Nahid Islam, into their custody. The two others – Asif and Abu Baker – were also abducted on the same day, and were released five days later. Nahid, Asif, and Abu Baker, all are students of Dhaka University and key coordinators of the Anti-Discriminatory Student Movement that is leading the quota reform movement.

This movement has now transcended its original demand for quota reforms, symbolizing broader discontent with issues such as corruption, economic mismanagement, and authoritarianism. The students’ anger is not just about jobs but about not being heard and not respected in a democratic society. The Hasina Government is no longer accountable to its people. Corruption permeates every sector of the country, stifling progress and eroding public trust. High government officials and politicians are accumulating vast amounts of illegal wealth, often relocating abroad to enjoy the benefits, leaving the country’s economy and governance in disarray. The students are rallying for a future where merit, transparency, and justice will prevail, challenging a system that has long ignored their voices.

Despite all the mistakes of the government so far, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s call for dialogue with student leaders is a step in the right direction, but it must be genuine and transparent. The government must show a willingness to address the students’ concerns and take meaningful action to reform the quota system and tackle the underlying issues fueling the unrest.

The future of Bangladesh’s youth and, indeed, the nation itself depends on how the government handles this crisis. Heavy-handed tactics and suppression will only lead to more unrest and instability. It is time for the government to listen to its people, to engage in constructive dialogue, and to work towards a fair and just society where every citizen, regardless of their background, has an equal opportunity to succeed.

Freedom often comes with a cost, sometimes even at the expense of human lives. Freedom encompasses not only territories but also bodies and minds. The government’s sovereign power over citizens originates from the citizens themselves, so the government should be mindful of how they exercise it. Bangladesh is witnessing a new wave of freedom fighters striving for a just system and redefining freedom for the country’s betterment. The ongoing movement seeks to deepen our understanding of freedom. If the current push for justice is repressed by the government, it could make the efforts of early freedom fighters seem meaningless.

(Anushka Kahandagamage is reading for her PhD in the School of Social Sciences, University of Otago. Although this piece has an author, its true force comes from the passionate voices of the Bangladeshi people who are courageously fighting in the streets).