Violent Clashes over Job Quotes Leave Scores Injured in Bangladesh

Photo : AP

Violent clashes erupted at Jahangir Nagar University in Savar, Bangladesh, overnight as police clashed with student protesters, resulting in dozens injured, according to reports from police and students on Tuesday.

The unrest centered around protests against the reinstatement of a government job quota system that reserves positions for family members of veterans who fought in Bangladesh's war of independence in 1971. The protests were also critical of the overall quota system that includes provisions for women, disabled individuals, and ethnic minorities. The system had been suspended in 2018, but a recent High Court decision ordered the reinstatement of the 30% quota for veterans' descendants.

The protesters, predominantly students, argue against the specific quota for descendants of independence war heroes while supporting quotas for disabled persons and ethnic minorities. The issue has sparked widespread demonstrations, disrupting normal activities in Dhaka and other parts of Bangladesh.

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Overnight clashes intensified as protesters gathered near the official residence of the university's vice chancellor. Reports indicate that the Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of the ruling Awami League party, clashed with the protesters, exacerbating tensions. Police responded with tear gas and "blank rounds" as they attempted to disperse the crowd, leading to injuries on both sides. Medical reports from Enam Medical College Hospital near Jahangir Nagar University confirmed over 50 injured individuals treated, with around 30 suffering from pellet wounds.

The violence followed similar clashes at Dhaka University the previous day, where more than 100 students were injured during protests. The Supreme Court's intervention temporarily halted the implementation of the quota system, with further deliberation expected after four weeks. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged protesters to abide by the court's decision, emphasizing that the issue is under judicial review.

Political tensions have heightened as opposition parties and student groups continue to challenge the quota system's reinstatement, viewing it as preferential treatment and a barrier to fair employment practices. The ongoing unrest underscores deep-seated divisions over historical legacies and governance policies in Bangladesh.

The situation remains fluid as protests persist, impacting public order and educational institutions across the country.

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