At least five people died and dozens more are hurt after protests turned violent in Bangladesh. Students at two universities in the country’s capital city clashed with police and government supporters during two separate protests over the country’s quota system for government jobs on Tuesday, July 16.
Local media reported that at least three students and one pedestrian were among those killed.
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These are the first significant protests against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s regime since she won a fourth term in January. The protests began earlier this month after Bangladesh’s high court ordered the government to restore job quotas for the descendants of freedom fighters. The quotas have continued despite the court suspending that order for a month last week.
Protesters demanded an end to the quota, which allows freedom fighters’ descendants to take up 30% of governmental jobs. They said quota appointments are discriminatory and hiring should be merit-based.
The protests intensified on Sunday night after the prime minister refused to meet students’ demands, saying the issue is now before the court. The prime minister also said those who oppose job quotas for relatives of freedom fighters are the “razakar” – which collaborated with the Pakistani army during the 1971 war of independence.
Protesters say more marches and rallies are planned nationwide and they will continue until their demands are met.
