The current student-led protests began on June 5 when the High Court division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh ordered the reinstatement of a controversial 30 percent reservation in government jobs for the descendants of freedom fighters who fought in the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. This quota had been previously struck down by Hasina-led government in 2018. The protests turned violent, resulting in at least 150 deaths, including students, and several hundreds were injured as the violence spread across the South Asian Nation. The countrywide protests against the quota system, whereas the Bangladesh government announced the closure of all public and private colleges and universities and banned public gatherings in Dhaka, and later the state police also imposed a curfew in Dhaka. Meanwhile, the government has shut down internet services and mobile networks across the country. Despite these measures, protesters hacked into major government office sites and portals, including the PMO and Home Department. The police have also detained many protesters, including prominent opposition leaders in Dhaka. Also, the Supreme Court put a hold on the 30 percent quota for one month. However, the protesters demanded the permanent scrapping of the quota system and a public apology from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, holding her accountable for the deaths and injuries.
Indian government has issued an advisory to its nationals in violence-hit Bangladesh and facilitated the return of over 4,500 Indians from the country. Meanwhile, an official raised concerns over a “spillover effect” of the Bangladesh protest. Moreover, trade between India and Bangladesh has been impacted amid the mass protests. The trade between India and Bangladesh via land ports came to a standstill. The report cited officials as saying that there was no movement of cargo trucks to and fro due to the ongoing student protests in Bangladesh. The Ministry of External Affairs said that over 4500 Indian students have returned to India from Bangladesh over the past two days. In the wake of the unrest in Bangladesh, the Border Security Force (BSF) in India heightened its operational preparedness along the India-Bangladesh border. Notably, India shares an 856-kilometer border with Bangladesh, of which 96 percent is already fenced. The remaining 30 kilometers are currently unfenced, but work is underway to close this gap.
However, the protesters are mainly spearheaded by left-liberal groups of universities which are backed by the Workers Party of Bangladesh (WPB) along with the main opposition Bangladesh National Party (BNP). Even as BNP had also blamed to Hasna Awami League party in the recent election due to a lack of democratic process in the election as well as major concerns on corruption and unemployment. Currently, the protesters have demanded reform of the current quota system, which they believe debars meritorious students from first-class and second-class government positions. The ruling Awami League accused the BNP of using students against the government. Meanwhile, the student protesters clashed with the police and members of the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL)- the student wing of the Awami League. Also, the Ruling Awami League party has compared the protesters to ‘Razakars’ or traitors.
Who called the ‘Razakars’?
In the ongoing protests, PM Sheikh Hasina equated the protesters with ‘Razakars,’ a derogatory term for traitors who supported or voluntarily joined Pakistani forces during the 1971 Liberation War. She questioned why the protesters had so much resentment towards freedom fighters. In response, Dhaka University student protesters labeled PM Sheikh Hasina a dictator, raising slogans such as “Who am I? Razakar, Razakar. Who said that? Dictator, Dictator.” The term ‘Razakars’ means “volunteers” in Urdu. These collaborators joined Pakistan’s armed forces under General Tikka Khan during the 1971 war, causing significant harm, including the deaths of thousands of people and ten Dhaka University professors. Over the years, the Awami League has often labeled its dissidents as Razakars (Pro-Pakistan elements).
What is the Current Quota System in Bangladesh
The quota system in Bangladesh was introduced in 1972, following the country’s independence, and has undergone several changes. Currently, 56 percent of government jobs are reserved under the quota system, leaving only 44 percent open for competition. Within the reserved category, 30 percent is for descendants of freedom fighters who fought the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, 10 percent for women, 10 percent for backward districts, 5 percent for ethnic minority groups, and 1 percent for physically challenged individuals.
However, the students are alleging the Hasina-led government on the current quota system which is against the Constitutional values and equality of opportunity. Bangladesh’s Constitution states that Article 29(1) of Bangladesh’s 1972 Constitution guarantees “Equality of opportunity for all citizens in employment or office in the Republic’s service”. Also, Article 29(3)(a) permits “Special provisions for the backward and least developed districts to secure adequate representation in public service”. The High Court’s verdict mentioned that the quota system’s abolition was “illegal, ineffective, and unconstitutional,” thereby reinstating it as if nothing had changed.
China’s Expanding Feet in Bangladesh
China and India are Bangladesh’s biggest economic partners. China has been trying bring Bangladesh in its own fold. China seeks to expand its influence in the subcontinent to counter India’s influence. Hasina’s recent Beijing visit focused on bilateral economic ties. 28 agreements were signed between China and Bangladesh. It was decided to expedite the ‘Joint Feasibility Study on China-Bangladesh Free Trade Agreement’ and commence negotiations on the optimization of China-Bangladesh Bilateral Investment Treaty. According to Panak Ranjan Chakravorty the two sides have announced bilateral ties to “a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership’ from a ‘strategic partnership’. This could mean cooperation in long-term projects across new sectors. Bangladesh hopes to get Chinese help in the defense sector and funding for building ports, railways, power plants and bridges. Chinese expanding feet will impinge India.
Conclusion
During this period, the Hasina-led government has been facing international pressures, such as the United States’ concerns about human rights and the lack of democratic processes in recent elections in Bangladesh. There are fears that Bangladesh could become diplomatically and economically isolated. Also, relations with neighboring countries have been strained. For instance, there are disputes over the Tista River water with India and border management issues. Bangladesh also faces the unresolved problem of the Rohingya, which presents significant diplomatic and humanitarian challenges. The ongoing student protests have further impacted the country’s economic growth and development, which are already hindered by high inflation and rising unemployment rates.
It is high time for the Hasina-led government to focus on peace and stability in the country rather than blaming the opposition BNP for using students as a political tool. Meanwhile, the ruling government and judiciary should work together to restore harmony and peace across the nation. Now, Bangladesh tops court scraps the quota system which has sparking the unrest in country. Early restoration of peace in Bangladesh is in the interest of India. Amen
