Jamil Ahmed This movement on the quota system was the second round of movement. The main movement started from January 2018. The movement was stopped when the matter reached the court. The court gave the verdict by reforming the quota.
What is the quota reform movement ? The quota reform movement is a movement organized to demand the reform of the conventional system of quota-based recruitment in all types of government jobs in Bangladesh.
Quotas of Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, the quota is a total of 56 percent. Out of which liberation war quota is 30 percent, women quota is 10 percent, district quota is 10 percent, minority ethnic group is 5 percent and disabled is 1 percent. The movement’s main demand for reforms was in the quota of the liberation war, they are saying that, this quota was for a freedom fighter, it was for his wife and son, it’s ok no problem. but why 30 percent for grandchildren? There was also a demand for district and women quota reforms. Students claim that meritorious students are being deprived.
On 5 June, the High Court canceled the quota system in government jobs and declared the circular issued by the government in 2018 invalid. As a result, the quota system was reinstated. After that, the students started protesting against the High Court verdict. But protests started to intensify across the country from June 30.
Whenever last 14 July, In the press conference held at Ganabhaban, Prime Minister ‘Sheikh Hasina’ addressed the protesting students as Razakar’s grandchildren, since then the movement spread everywhere and turned into violence. The students taunted the Prime Minister and chanted: ‘Who am I? Who are you?’ ‘Razakar Razakar’, ‘who said? who said?’ ‘Dictator Dictator, ‘I wanted rights, I became a Razakar’ (Razakar means anti-independence in Bangladesh).
Number of killed, injured and arrests
Since then, the movement turned into violence. During this period, at least 209 people were killed across the country. Most of them are students, but also journalists, political activists, child and common people. Police, BGB firing indiscriminately and tear shells were seen from various media, also videos of helicopter firing went viral on social media.
Also attacked Chhatra League and Jubo League of the ruling party.
More than 6,500 were injured. More than 9,000 people have been arrested, including the five main coordinators of the quota reform movement. some senior leaders of the opposition political parties. many of them have been remanded and subjected to serious physical abuse. police have been accused of going door-to-door at night and checking students’ mobile phones and arresting them.
Apart from the loss of life, the country’s wealth has also been severely damaged due to arson and vandalism. The government has deployed the police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and finally the military to bring the situation under control. Not only this, mobile and broadband internet services were suspended across the country. curfews were also imposed indefinitely.
The United Nations and international organizations are concerned about the violence surrounding the quota reform movement
UN Secretary General ‘Antonio Guterres’ has expressed deep concern over the violence surrounding the quota reform movement in Bangladesh. Secretary-General’s spokesman ‘Stephen Dujarric’ said this at a press briefing in New York on Monday. He said that the United Nations is deeply concerned about the on-sight firing of law and order forces on protesting students. Dhaka has been asked about the use of ammunition to stop the movement.
Our colleagues in Bangladesh have seen reports of vehicles with UN logos being used. We have informed the Bangladesh authorities about this matter. Accountability and dialogue are essential to overcome the situation.
Human rights Organization ‘Amnest International Bangladesh’ said the authorities « continued to use unlawful force » despite a six-day communication ban during protests demanding quota reform. Law and order forces used lethal and mild weapons to quell the protests.
New York-based international human rights organization « Human Rights Watch » (HRW). ‘Meenakshi Ganguly’, deputy Asia director of the organization, said, « The incident of brutal repression by law enforcement forces against anyone who opposes ‘Sheikh Hasina’s’ government has been happening in Bangladesh for a long time. And this time too, we are seeing the same continuity applied to the unarmed protesting students.
France, European Union, America, England, Canada and other countries of the world have expressed concern over this violence.
The protesting students appealed to the world to protect them.
By JAMIL AHMED
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