Bangladesh Quota movement victorious students in the pages of history around the world

The 2024 Quota Reform Movement is a movement organized to demand reform of the quota-based recruitment system in all types of government jobs in Bangladesh. On June 5, 2024, the High Court Division of the Bangladesh Supreme Court declared the circular issued by the Bangladesh government on October 4, 2018 invalid, and the quota system reform movement came into discussion again. [22] The circular was issued in the wake of the 2018 quota reform movement. [23] The circular abolished all existing quotas for recruitment to posts in Grade IX (formerly Class I) and Grades 10-13 (formerly Class II) in government services.[24]

In the beginning, the movement was confined to meetings and gatherings. On July 14, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called the quota protesters "grandchildren of Rajakar" in one of her speeches. who am i Rajakar, Rajakar; Who said? Who said? Tyranny, Tyranny” and “Going for rights; [26] The following day, on July 15, various officials of the Awami League and the government accused the protesting students of destroying the spirit of the 'liberation war'. Students and agitators were attacked with rods, sticks, hockey sticks, ramadas, firearms. [28] At the same time, the police also attacked with sticks and rubber bullets. In protest, the agitators also threw pieces of bricks at them and clashed between the two sides. With these attacks, the movement intensified from July 16. When Abu Sayeed was shot dead by police at Begum Rokeya University on July 16, the movement spread across the country like sparks. Until July 19, the government imposed curfew across the country and brought the army into the field when the BGB, RAB, police and other organizations of the BGB, RAB, and the police failed to stop the movement. In addition to thousands of students and protestors being injured in these incidents, more than 266 people were killed [14] and the police filed 500 cases and arrested more than 10,500 people. [16] On July 21, the Supreme Court of Bangladesh overturned the verdict of the High Court and suspended the government service. Directs 93 percent recruitment based on merit. The government issued a notification in this regard on 23 July.[29]

Background

See also: Quota reform movement in Bangladesh in 2018

In order to reform the quota in 2018, job aspirants and ordinary students, under the leadership of the Bangladesh General Students' Rights Protection Council, held a series of protests and human chain programs since January 2018. As a result of the continuous movement of ordinary students, the government announced the cancellation of the 46-year-old quota system in first and second class government jobs. On October 4, 2018, the government of Bangladesh issued a circular canceling the quota system for first and second class government jobs. The circular issued by the Ministry of Public Administration states:[30]

“ Government in respect of direct recruitment to all Government Departments, Autonomous/Semi-Autonomous Institutions and various Corporations as mentioned in Ministry of Public Administration's Memorandum No.S-8/95(Part-2)-56(500) dated 17/03/1997 The quota system was amended as follows:-

(a) In case of direct recruitment to the posts of 9th Grade (formerly 1st Class) and 10th-13th Grade (formerly 2nd Class) the appointment shall be made on the basis of merit; And

(b) The existing quota system for direct recruitment to the posts of 9th grade (formerly 1st grade) and 10th-13th grade (formerly 2nd grade) was abolished.

”

In 2021, seven children of freedom fighters including Ahidul Islam filed a writ petition in the High Court challenging the validity of the circular. [31] On June 5, 2024, the High Court bench of Justice KM Kamrul Quader and Justice Khizir Hayat ruled that the circular was cancelled. After the verdict was published, students from various universities of the country, including Dhaka, united to demand quota reforms. After the movement started, the movement was suspended during the Eid and summer holidays. After the holidays, the movement started again peacefully but gradually it became widespread. Dhaka University, Jagannath University, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University, Jahangirnagar University, Chittagong University, Rajshahi University, Comilla University, Islamic University, North South University, BRAC University, Northern University, East West University, Independent University and other public and private educational institutions. Students also joined the movement. Under the banner of the anti-discrimination student movement, the students started a blockade called Bangla Blockade. On July 10 during the agitation, the Appellate Division imposed a status quo for four weeks after canceling the quota of freedom fighters. In response to the court verdict, the students said they were seeking a final solution to the quota issue from the government, claiming that the court had nothing to do with the movement.[32]

organization

According to a BBC Bengali report, social media has a role to play in uniting students. Later, they elected a coordinating committee, convening committee and central committee, under whose instructions the members of the anti-discrimination student movement organized various campaigns on the campuses to get more students to join the movement. According to a combination of organizers, there is no single supreme leader in their organization. Activists of earlier quota reform movement and members of various student organizations are in the coordinating committee. Members of any political student organization were barred from joining the movement to avoid controversy over the need for the movement.[33]

claim

The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement has presented the following demands to the government:[33]

Current quota system effective in government jobs is cancelled

Provision of quota at fair rates to backward groups and persons with special needs

Passing a new law in Parliament lowering the quota to a maximum of 5%[34]

Nine points

In a press release sent to the media on July 29, in the wake of the death of hundreds of students and the injury of thousands of students in the firing of law enforcement forces, focusing on the demands of ordinary students across the country in the quota reform movement, the coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement rejected national mourning[35] and showed pictures with red cloths on their eyes and faces. Tola and announced to carry out a massive campaign online. At the same time, they called for the acceptance of nine-point demands to stabilize the country. [36] Later, they called for a protest march across the country on August 3 and an all-out non-cooperation movement across the country from August 4. [37] The nine-point demands are [38]. :

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina must publicly apologize to the nation for the killing of students and citizens.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Education Minister Mahibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, Law Minister Anisul Haque have to resign from the cabinet due to the responsibility of killing students and citizens by law enforcement forces and party cadres and terrorists. State Minister for Information Junaid Ahmed Palak has to resign due to digital crackdown in the country by shutting down internet. Minister of State for Information Mohammad A. Arafat should resign as the international media is calling the martyred students and the protesting students as drug addicts by making ugly and false statements and trying to divert the movement to different sectors.

The DIG, Police Commissioner and Superintendent of Police should be dismissed from their jobs wherever students and citizens have been martyred, including Dhaka.

In every university across the country, including Dhaka University, Jagannath University, Jahangirnagar University, Rajshahi University and Chittagong University, the VCs and proctors of every university where peaceful protests have been attacked by law and order forces in the campuses must resign.

The police-BGB-RAB and army personnel who fired on the students, the terrorists including Chhatra League-Youth League who carried out the brutal attack on the students and the executive magistrate who ordered the police and army officers to fire on the unarmed student-citizens should be arrested and a case of murder should be registered. He should be arrested as soon as possible.

Adequate compensation should be provided to the families of the martyred and injured student-citizens across the country as soon as possible.

Dhaka University, Jagannath University, Jahangirnagar University, Rajshahi University and Chittagong University in every university and educational institution across the country should be banned and the student council should be systematically enforced as soon as possible by banning all party-based student politics including the terrorist organization Chhatra League.

All educational institutions and halls should be opened immediately. Curfew should be lifted and police, RAB, BGB, SWAT and Army deployed in all campuses across the country should be withdrawn.

Students involved in the anti-discrimination student movement must undertake that they will not be subjected to any form of academic or administrative harassment. In the meantime, coordinators and student-citizens who are victims of mass arrest and police harassment should be released immediately and all cases should be withdrawn.

On July 30, citizens for good governance (Sujan) raised 9-point demands, including the release of the coordinators of the quota movement. The claims are[39]:

Investigate transparently and credibly all incidents of violence with impartial persons and experts under the auspices of the United Nations High Level Panel of Experts and punish those found guilty in the investigation;

Disclosure of details including names and identities of those killed in the violence; provide adequate compensation to the families of all those killed, ensure proper treatment of the injured and take full responsibility for the rehabilitation of the seriously injured;

Stop random arrests through absentee cases and 'block raids', stop harassment of ordinary students and withdraw biased cases filed against them and release detainees, refrain from filing new cases against students;

Releasing six anti-discrimination student movement coordinators from DB custody, refraining from intimidation of ordinary citizens;

Stop using law and order forces for partisan interests and stop the police and army from confronting the people;

Abstain from picking up anyone without following due process of law and presenting them to the Police Intelligence Branch (DB) or Police Station without a specific complaint;

Ensuring freedom of speech by lifting curfew and lifting restrictions on internet and social media to restore normalcy in public life including business and education;

To stop laziness-based student politics, to stop common room and 'guestroom culture' and ragging on campus and allot seats based on merit, to organize regular student council elections in all campuses to develop youth leadership; And

From voting rights to guaranteeing other civil rights of the people and banning communal politics.

one point

See also: One-step movement

Responding to the call of the anti-discrimination student movement, students-citizens gathered at Shaheed Minar on August 3. Separately, young people started gathering at Shaheed Minar with protest processions. Meanwhile, elderly citizens were seen participating in the protest march with them.[40] At around 5:30 in the afternoon, the coordinator of the organization leading the quota reform movement announced a single demand in a speech addressed to the students-people gathered at the Shaheed Minar. Nahid Islam[41]:

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her cabinet must resign.

Asif Mahmud, the coordinator of the movement, announced the outline of the non-cooperation movement [42]:

No one shall pay any taxes or fees.

Do not pay any kind of bill including electricity bill, gas bill, water bill.

All types of public and private institutions, offices-courts and mills will be closed. None of you will go to the office, collect the salary at the end of the month.

Educational institutions will remain closed.

Expatriates shall not send any kind of remittance to the country through banking channels.

All government meetings, seminars, events will be boycotted.

Port workers will not attend work. Do not redeem any product.

No factory in the country will work, the brothers and sisters of garment workers will not go to work.

Public transport will be closed, workers will not go to work.

The bank will be open every Sunday for urgent personal transactions.

Policemen shall not go on protocol duty, riot duty and protest duty of any kind other than routine duty. Only the police station will do the routine work of the police station.

All offshore transactions will be closed so that not a single rupee is smuggled out of the country.

Forces other than BGB and Navy will not perform duty outside the cantonment. BGB and Navy will be in barracks and coastal areas.

Bureaucrats will not go to the secretariat, DC or upazila officials will not go to their respective offices.

Luxury goods stores, showrooms, commercial outlets, hotels, motels, restaurants will remain closed. However, hospitals, pharmacies, emergency transport services such as medicine and medical equipment transport, ambulance services, fire service, mass media, transportation of daily necessities, emergency internet services, emergency relief assistance and transport services for officials and employees working in this sector will continue.

Apart from this, shops for daily necessities will be open from 11 am to 1 pm.

flow of events

Main article: Timeline of quota reform movement in Bangladesh in 2024

During the agitation, a student held a banner that read "Quota is alms, Mukti Pak Shiksha".

The initial stage

5 June - 9 July

July 7 student protest at Rajshahi University.

On June 5, the High Court ruled that the government's decision to abolish quotas in 2018 was invalid. 6. Students and job aspirants protested in different parts of the country to protest against the court verdict and demand cancellation of quota. On June 9, the state applied for a stay of the High Court's verdict. [43] On June 10, the agitators agreed to the demand and gave the government a time limit until June 30 and announced a break in the agitation due to Eid-ul-Azha. [44] On June 30, the students of Rajshahi University formed a human chain to protest against the reinstatement of the quota.[45] ] On July 1, Dhaka University students staged a protest and announced a three-day program. On this day, students of Jahangirnagar University blocked the Dhaka-Aricha highway. [46] From July 2 to 6, students of various institutions held protests, human chains, highway blockades, etc. in different parts of the country. On 7 July, the students called for the 'Bangla Blockade' under which the students staged demonstrations, marches, blocked highways, etc. [47] Similar programs were held on 8 and 9 July.

Bangla blockade and attack on students

10 - 15 July

July 11 student protest in Shahbagh.

On July 10, Dhaka University students gathered in front of the Central Library and went to Shahbagh and blockaded the place. Members of the law and order forces positioned barricades in front of the students. In the afternoon, it is known that the status quo has been given for four weeks in the judgment given by the High Court canceling the quota system. The Chief Justice asked the students to go back. Due to the blockade in different parts of Dhaka, the transport system of Dhaka came to a standstill. Long-distance buses were stopped due to the agitation.[48]

The siege of Shahbagh was supposed to start at 3pm on July 11, but due to rain, the students crossed the police barricade on their way to Shahbagh and started at 4:30am. Dhaka College students retreated due to police barricades and Dhaka University students were joined by Jagannath University students at Shahbagh. On this day, the police attacked the students of Comilla University. [49] At 9 pm, the students ended their agitation and announced a protest march and rally on July 12 to protest the police attack on them. [50]

At 5:00 pm on July 12, the students ignored the administration's warning and gathered at Shahbagh. [51] While the students were protesting at Comilla Victoria College, a group of Chhatra League activists attacked. Communication was lost.[53]

On July 13, students protested by blocking the railway tracks in Rajshahi. [54] In Dhaka, DU students held a press conference in the evening, complaining that "an attempt is being made to obstruct the student movement with cases".[55]

On July 14, the protesting students marched in Dhaka to the President. [56] The students protested in the campus area of ​​Dhaka University in the middle of the night in protest of the speech given by the Prime Minister of Bangladesh at the press conference on the quota reform movement. The government directed the operators to shut down the 4-G network in the Dhaka University area.[57] Chhatra League leaders and activists attacked the protestors of Chittagong University at around 11:30 pm in Chittagong.[58][59]

On July 15, the BCL clashed with the protesting students in Vijay Ekatar Hall, Suryasen Hall and several other places on the campus around the quota movement. Hundreds of students were injured in this incident. [61] On the afternoon of 15 July, clashes broke out on the campus due to counter-activities. At that time, various weapons including rods, sticks, hockey sticks were seen in the hands of BCL leaders and activists.[61][60] Even after 5:30 in the afternoon, the agitating students and BCL leaders and activists chased each other from in front of Shahidullah Hall to the area in front of Dhaka Medical College.[61] After the protestors left, BCL activists were seen marching with rods and sticks. [61] Earlier, students protested in front of Dhaka University's Raju sculpture at noon. Around this movement, a large number of police with water cannons were stationed in Shah Bagh and surrounding streets. [61] At least 297 injured people were treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital due to the attack, beatings and clashes of the Chhatra League on protesters in Dhaka University. [63]

July 16

Duration: 9 seconds.0:09

Students quota reform movement in Muradpur, Chittagong.

On July 16, quota reform activists of Jahangirnagar University took shelter inside the Vice-Chancellor's residence fearing an attack by the Chhatra League. Around 2:30 AM, BCL leaders and activists entered there and beat the protesting students. Earlier, the protesting students were attacked after 12:00 PM. [64] The students of the first and second block of Rajshahi University's Mother Bakhsh Hall protested around 12:50 PM by banging dishes and chanting different slogans. After that from 1:10 PM to 1:35 PM, the leaders and workers of the Chhatra League interrogated and searched at least six rooms on the third floor of the first block of Mother Bakhsh Hall. Students of North South University, American International University, Independent University of Bangladesh, Green University of Bangladesh, State University of Bangladesh protested in front of Jamuna Future Park in Bashundhara residential area of ​​the capital by blocking Pragati Sarni and Kuril highways in Bhatara area.[66][67] At 11 am. Chhatra League leaders and activists attacked them with sticks and iron rods when the procession of quota reforming students in front of Tangail Municipality reached the Shaheed Minar. [68] At 1:00 p.m., protesters blocked the road at Mirpur 10 Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University, Bangladesh University of Professionals, Bangladesh. Students from different universities and colleges of Mirpur, including the University of Business and Technology, came with batons and a large group of leaders and activists from Jubo League, Sramik League and Volunteer League attacked the angry students. Incidents of police violence also occurred. [70] The director of the hospital Dr. Md. Yunus Ali said, "One student was brought to the hospital dead. Apart from this, 15 others came to the hospital with injuries."[71] Around 4:00 pm, two people were killed in the clash between the agitators and the Chhatra League in Chittagong, including a student of Chittagong College and another pedestrian. [72] In the afternoon, a young man was killed in a clash between Jubo League and Chhatra League leaders and activists in front of Dhaka College in the capital. Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Newmarket Region. Rifatul Islam said, "They saw a group of people beating a person on the road in front of Dhaka College in the afternoon. Later heard, he died in Dhaka Medical." [73] As the conflict spread, BGB was deployed in Dhaka, Chittagong, Bogra and Rajshahi cities this evening. [74] In addition, there were reports of problems using Facebook in various parts of the country. [75]

Due to the clashes in various parts of the country surrounding the movement demanding reform of the quota system, the Ministry of Education announced the closure of all secondary and higher secondary level educational institutions (schools, colleges, madrasas and technical institutions) and polytechnic institutes under the Ministry of Education until further orders.[76] At night, the Bangladesh University Grants Commission announced that all public and private universities across the country would remain closed until further notice.[77][78] The commission ordered the university authorities to vacate the halls of residence considering the safety of students.[79][80]

July 17

On 17 July, the UGC announced the closure of all educational institutions and students were asked to vacate the halls for security reasons.[81] On that day, the government ordered all mobile companies, including Grameenphone, to suspend all internet services.[82][83]

At 10 am, the students of Dania College in Shanir Akhra, along with the students of Jatrabari's local schools and colleges blocked the Dhaka-Chittagong highway. [84] At Jahangirnagar University, around 12 noon, the students of the 19 residential halls of the Syndicate University told the agitators standing in front of the administrative building to leave the hall by 4 pm. Enraged by the decision of the syndicate, the students started pelting bricks and stones at the administrative building. They locked both the gates of the building and blocked the vice-chancellor and other teachers and officials.[85] Around 5:30 in the afternoon, the police attacked the agitating students. At this time, the police chased each other with the students. Police personnel fired tear gas shells, sound grenades and rubber bullets.

At around 2 o'clock, the protestors of Dhaka University held a funeral and coffin procession at the foot of the Raju sculpture for the students who were killed in the attack by the police and Chhatra League. However, due to the obstruction of the police, there was no funeral. Later, a funeral was held in front of the Vice-Chancellor's residence. Police fired sound grenades and tear gas when they started marching with coffins to the campus after the funeral.[86] Policemen then took up position in front of the Vice-Chancellor's residence. Students took position in front of Masterda Surya Sen Hall. When the police hurled sound grenades and tear gas, the students responded by pelting bricks. As the discussion was not fruitful, the student representatives walked out. Later, the protesters locked the gate of the administrative building and surrounded it. The administration officials including the vice-chancellor were trapped inside. At around 7:10 PM, security forces launched an operation to free the Vice-Chancellor in front of the University's Syed Nazrul Islam Administration Building. [88] Police attacked the protestors at around 7:00 PM in Dhaka and 6 people were injured by police shotgun fire. As a result, the agitators set fire to the toll plaza of the Kajala section of Mayor Hanif Udalsad. At least 20 places on the road between Shanir Akhara and Kajla burned till midnight. [84] At around 8 pm, the agitators demanding quota reform announced a complete shutdown program across the country on Thursday, July 18. At around 10:15 pm, another round of counter-chasing happened between the protestors and the police. On the night of 17 July the protesters announced a 'Complete Shutdown' program for 18 July.[89]

total blockade

18-19 July

On the morning of July 18, Border Guard Bangladesh announced in a circular that 229 platoon BGB had been deployed across the country including Dhaka to maintain law and order situation around the complete shutdown announced by the agitators demanding quota reform. [90] Around 11:00 a.m. Bangladesh University of Business and Awami League, Chhatra League and Jubo League leaders and police attacked the students of various educational institutions of Mirpur including Technology. Sound grenades and tear shells were thrown at the protesters. The entire area turned into a battlefield.[91][92] The protesting students of BRAC University and other educational institutions blocked the road from Rampura Bridge to Merul Badda area since around 11 am, and police fired tear gas and sound grenades to disperse them. At the same time, BCL and Awami League activists attacked them.[93] Awami League, BCL and Jubo League leaders and police attacked the students of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University, Bangladesh University of Professionals and other local educational institutions, who had been agitating since 12 noon. Sound grenades and tear shells were thrown at the protesters. The whole area turned into a battlefield. [92][94] Two students of Northern University were killed and hundreds of students were injured in police firing at around 2 pm. The injured students were taken to the hospital. [95][96][97] A second year student of Zoology Department of Madaripur Government College fell into the lake during a police chase at around 3 pm. He was shot and killed. [99] On this day, the government stopped 4G mobile internet and slowed down the internet speed. [100] Around 9 pm, the government cut off all internet services across the country. (see more)

On July 19, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police announced an indefinite ban on all gatherings and processions in Dhaka to curb the student movement. [101] The Bangladesh Railway Authority was ordered by the highest levels of government to stop train services across the country with Dhaka. [102] On July 18, On July 19, all types of internet were shut down across the country. Even on this day, the total blockade called by the anti-discrimination student movement continues across the country. When the agitators surrounded the Bhairab police station in Kishoreganj at around 1:15 p.m., the policemen fired bullets from inside the police station, injuring more than a hundred people. After Friday prayers in Mirpur, around 3 pm, angry mobs of Kazipara, Shaorapara and Mirpur - 10 came out on the streets. Thousands of students gathered on the Dhaka-Aricha highway in front of the main gate of Jahangirnagar University in Savar from three in the afternoon. Around four in the afternoon, the students surrounded the Rampura police station in Dhaka. At 5:00 p.m., protesters set fire to the BRTA building at No. 14, Mirpur. [104] In Narsingdi, an agitated mob of about 2,000 vandalized Narsingdi Jail and set it on fire. [105] Later, 331 prisoners surrendered. [106] The government imposed a curfew and deployed troops across the country. [107] Nahid Islam, one of the central coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement, was arrested at midnight. Around that time, a meeting was held between three representatives of the anti-discrimination student movement and three representatives of the government where they presented 'eight-point demands' to the government.[110] According to various national newspapers of Bangladesh, at least 56-66 people died across the country on Friday 19 July.[111]

Dialogue and Supreme Court judgment

20 - 22 July

On July 20, entire Bangladesh was without internet for the third day. The army is seen patrolling various parts of the country as part of the curfew. The meeting held between the three government ministers with the three representatives of the anti-discrimination student movement at midnight on Friday, July 19, and the disagreement between the leadership over the demands raised in the meeting.[112] During the curfew, Jatrabari, Rampura-Bansree, Badda, Mirpur, Azimpur, Maniknagar, and other areas of Dhaka were closed. The police clashed with the protesters. Police fired tearshells, sound grenades. In these clashes, at least 10 people including two policemen were killed, at least 91 people were injured. Dhaka University student Nahid Islam, one of the co-ordinators of the quota reform movement, was picked up by law and order forces in the middle of the night.[113]

On July 21, the whole of Bangladesh was without internet for the fourth day and curfew was in force across the country. Nahid Islam, one of the coordinators of Andol, was found in Purbachal area of ​​Dhaka in the early morning and was later taken to hospital. On July 16, following the leave to appeal filed by the state party, the hearing of the Appellate Division started at Bangladesh Supreme Court at around 10 am. After the hearing of all parties, the verdict was announced around 1 pm. In the verdict, the verdict of the High Court was annulled and orders were given to appoint 93 percent of the government jobs on the basis of merit. Police clashed with protesters throughout the day at Jatrabari. Five people were killed in violence in different parts of Dhaka. BNP leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Nipun Roy and Public Rights Council leader Nurul Haque Noor have been remanded for five days by the police in connection with the vandalism of bridge building, setting fire to BTV building in Rampura and arson in different places. A faction of the anti-discrimination student movement announced the continuation of the shutdown demanding '9 points'.

On July 22, entire Bangladesh was without internet for the fifth day and curfew was in force across the country for the third day. An executive order extended the general holiday by one more day (Tuesday, 23 July 2024). Some businessmen had a meeting with the Prime Minister around noon. In the meeting, the Prime Minister blamed the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Shibir for the attacks and violence in various establishments and said to take 'stronger action'. [115] Nahid Islam, one of the coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement, suspended the 'Complete Shutdown' program with a 48-hour ultimatum, demanding four points. do

Suspension of the movement and mass arrests

23 - 28 July

On July 23, entire Bangladesh was without internet for the sixth day. However, limited broadband internet was introduced in Dhaka and Chittagong at night.[116] Besides, curfew was in force across the country for the fourth day.[117] After the judgment of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on July 21, the Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification regarding the quota on July 23.[118] ][119]

On July 24, broadband internet was launched on a limited basis, but mobile internet remained off. Curfew was in force across the country for the fifth day, but it was relaxed. A Chittagong University student died while undergoing treatment and the death toll rose to 197. [120][121] According to students, the death toll was many times higher, which was not known due to the internet shutdown. As of July 24, the police arrested 1,758 people in various cases. [122] The United Nations raised concerns over the use of vehicles bearing the UN logo after the deployment of troops during the protests. [123] Asif, one of the coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement, was arrested on July 24 after being missing since July 19. Mahmud, Abu Bakr Majumdar and Rifat Rashid were found. [124] A total of 201 people including 4 more people were reported dead until the night of July 24. [125] On that day, the leading journalists of the country held an exchange meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. [126]

Slow broadband internet available till 25 July afternoon. The government shut down various social media, including Facebook, [127] on this day eight messages were sent to the protesting students from the anti-discrimination student movement's platform.[128]

On July 26, Nahid Islam and three coordinators of the quota reform movement were taken away from Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital in the capital by a group of people in plain clothes. Relatives of a coordinator and hospital doctors said that they identified themselves as members of law enforcement. [129] The main gate of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (Shabiprabi) in Sylhet was named 'Shaheed Rudra Toran' by the students of the quota movement. [130] In recent incidents in Bangladesh. The United Nations expressed deep concern over the use of live fire by security forces.[131]

The Intelligence Branch (DB) admitted that the three coordinators were picked up from the Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital in Dhaka on July 27. [132] A group of university teachers questioned why the DB was taken into custody instead of being handed over to their families if there were concerns about their safety. To inquire about the three students, these teachers went to meet the head of DB Mohammad Haroon Or Rasheed. However, the DB chief refused to meet with the teachers. [133] Law and order forces carried out eighty-six operations across the country following protests, clashes, vandalism, skirmishes and arson surrounding the movement. Block raids were conducted in different areas of the capital.[134] The curfew continues even today. However, this curfew is relaxed for some time. [135] The Ministry of Public Administration decided to make the schedule of public and private offices six hours from July 28th to July 30th. [136] Two more coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement organization were taken into custody by the intelligence branch. [137] Later, in an online press conference, the agitating students gave an ultimatum to release all detained students including coordinator Nahid Islam, Asif Mahmud, withdraw the case and take action against all the culprits from the ministerial level to the constable involved in the student massacre within 28th (Sunday). At the same time, various programs including graffiti and wall writing were announced on the walls of the country on Sunday. [138] Nurul Haque, the former VP of Daksu and president of the People's Rights Council, who was in police custody, was reported to have been tortured by the police. [138]

Nusrat DB, another coordinator of the quota reform movement, was taken into custody early on 28 July. [139] Mobile internet was launched from 3 am. However, various services including Facebook, WhatsApp, Tiktok were stopped. [83] Teachers and students held a rally and protest at Jahangirnagar University to protest against the removal of the coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement from 4 pm. They immediately demanded the release of Arif Sohail, one of the coordinators of the university branch of the anti-discrimination student movement. [140] Hasnatul Islam Fayyaz, a first-year student of Dhaka College, who was arrested on Wednesday night from his house in Jatrabari in a case of violence surrounding the quota reform movement, was shown to the CMM court on Saturday in a case of Jatrabari police station. The investigating officer submitted a remand application. Later, the court remanded him for seven days. Mr. CMM court in Dhaka on Sunday. The court suspended Fayaz's remand by submitting proof of age in support of his claim as a child. [141] The families of some of the coordinators in DB custody went to the Metropolitan Detective Police office but did not allow them to meet the families. [141] At around 10 pm, 6 coordinators in police custody protested the withdrawal of the movement. announced. But as they announced that they would not communicate with the rest of the coordinators while sitting in the police office while being detained by the police, the rest announced that they would continue the movement, calling this announcement as pressured by the government and the police. On July 29, the students of almost all the universities of the country and various colleges of Dhaka announced to come to Rajpath again. In this regard, students from all universities in the country made statements through social media, stating that they will continue this movement until the 9-point demand is implemented. [143] As of July 28, the death toll was at least 211. The number of injured in Dhaka is at least 7 thousand. Most of the injured were shot, especially in the head and eyes.[144][145] At least 253 students were arrested and many remanded in 18 districts of the country in the 12 days till nightfall.[146][147]

resume

29 July - 3 August

On July 29, 74 outraged citizens issued a statement demanding a United Nations-supervised investigation into each incident. [148] An analysis of Prothom Alo's report shows that most of the victims were young and students. [149] Lethal weapons (bullets or bullets) are believed to have been used to quell the protests. Security analyst Brigadier General (Retd.) M Sakhawat Hossain. [149] Some students tried to protest again in several areas of the capital, including Science Laboratory, Badda, ECB. [150] Demonstration marches in many places including Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet, Barisal, Chittagong. Students did. The protest program of students agitating for quota reform in Chittagong was dispersed by the police by throwing sound grenades and tear gas shells. [151] Jahangirnagar University coordinator Arif Sohail was arrested and remanded for six days after being missing for more than 30 hours after being picked up from his home. [152] However, Riaz Uddin Ahmed, OC of Dhaka North DB Office, denied that Arif Sohail had been picked up earlier. [153] As a tool to forcefully control the quota reform movement, the coordinators of the movement were illegally picked up and detained in the office of the Intelligence Branch through video messages. Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) strongly condemned the incident of forcing them to read the withdrawal announcement as outright false, fraudulent and unconstitutional. [154] Two people filed a writ petition in the High Court on Monday afternoon seeking a direction to release the coordinators taken into DB custody and not to shoot the students. Lawyers. [155] Curfew continues in Bangladesh for the tenth day, although the daytime relaxation period has been extended. Even though the internet is open, many services like WhatsApp, YouTube, Facebook are kept closed. A cabinet meeting on Monday decided to observe nationwide mourning on Tuesday, July 30, in memory of those killed in the quota movement. [156] Quota reform activists rejected this in a statement to the media, announcing a July 30 photo-shoot and mass online campaign. gives.[157]

At the call of the anti-discrimination student movement, many Bangladeshis rejected the official black color of mourning and wore red and campaigned widely online

Rejecting the mourning day announced by the government on July 30, the agitators and popular personalities, a large section of ordinary citizens and various institutions and even the former army chief showed support to the quota agitators through red profile pictures on social media.[158][159] At 11:00 a.m., ordinary students held a protest march and rally in Khulna for 9-point demands. [160] At 12:00 p.m., when the students left the Panchagarh Modern Sadar Hospital premises, the police immediately stopped the march and detained 5 people and interrogated them. [161] At 12:00 p.m., 6 coordinators were given 24-hour detention. The 'angry civil society' gave an ultimatum to release them. [162] At 12:30 noon, teachers and students of various departments of Jahangirnagar University held a silent march with red cloths on their faces. They held this program under the banner of 'Jahangirnagar against persecution'. [163] In the afternoon, the anti-oppression teachers held a rally and assembly in Rajshahi University campus wearing red cloths to protest the killing of students across the country. [164] At 3 pm, 31 organizations including Udichi held a march and protest. [165] ] Students came out to protest in Chittagong at 4:30 pm. The police dispersed them by throwing sound grenades and tear gas shells at them.[166]

On July 31, the anti-discrimination student movement 'March for Justice' held a program across the country to protest the killings, mass arrests, attacks, cases and disappearances. Students gathered in Chittagong from 10 am and held a protest march. After that, the protesting students broke the police barrier and entered the court premises. [167] Facebook and other social media were opened at 3 pm after being closed for 13 days.[168]

On August 1, six coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement in the custody of the Intelligence Police (DB) were released shortly after 1:30 p.m. [169] In the afternoon, the government banned Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir by issuing a notification under Section 18(1) of the Anti-Terrorism Act in an executive order from the Ministry of Home Affairs. [170][171] In addition, through the issuance of a notification by the Cabinet Department, an investigation by three judges of the High Court Department to investigate the incidents of death, violence, vandalism, arson, looting, terrorist acts and damage in the incidents that occurred in various parts of the country from July 16 to July 21 around the quota reform movement. formed the Commission. [172] The anti-discrimination student movement held a 'Remembering Our Heroes' program on Thursday to protest the killings, mass arrests, assault cases, disappearances and attacks on teachers and 9-point demands across the country. .[173] The visual media Shilip Samaj held demonstrations and rallies in solidarity with the 9-point demand of the quota reforming students.[174]

The six coordinators of the anti-discrimination movement who were released from the custody of the Intelligence Police (DB) on August 2 said in a statement sent to the media that they did not voluntarily give the video statement of the six coordinators broadcast from the DB office by withdrawing the movement.[175] According to the commentary of Nahid Islam, Sarjis Alam, Hasnat Abdullah, Asif Mahmud, Nusrat Tabassum and Abu Bakr Majumder, they were detained on the orders of the Home Minister.[176] The social media Facebook was again closed on the mobile network after 12 noon that day.[177] After 5 hours, Facebook-messenger was reactivated. [178] This morning, the anti-genocide and anti-oppression Shilpi Samaj held a three-point rally and protest demanding the immediate resignation of the government after accepting responsibility for the killings on the road adjacent to Abhani Ground in Dhanmondi. [179] Also, gathered at the central Shaheed Minar. Doctors, medical and dental students held a protest rally demanding justice for the casualties in the quota movement. [180] Dhaka's Baitul Mokarram, [181] Science Lab, [182] Uttara, [183] ​​Aftabnagar [183] ​​held mass marches and protests. Besides Chittagong[184], Sylhet,[185] Bogra[186] Tangail[187], Kishoreganj[188], Noakhali[189] mass marches were held in different places of the country. At least 20 people were killed when the police fired sound grenades and shotguns at a 'mass rally' in Sylhet. At one point, the police fired sound grenades and tear gas shells to disperse the protesters. [191] In Sylhet, students took a position in front of the Board Mosque in Habiganj after Friday prayers as part of the anti-discrimination student movement's announced prayer and mass march. Chhatra League leaders and activists took a position in the East Town Hall area. Later, police-Chhatra League clashed with the students. [192] As part of the pre-announced program, students staged mass marches in at least 25 districts of the country. [193] At least 12 people were injured in an attack by the Chhatra League-Youth League on the students' mass march in Narsingdi. [194] Police tear-shelled the protestors' march in Khulna. Throwing and baton-charged. [195] Tens of thousands of people joined the protest called by teachers and civil society. [196] Anti-discrimination student movement Protests against the attacks and killings of student-mobs protested the pre-announced nine-point demand on Saturday (August 3) and Sunday ( [197] In an emergency meeting at Ganabhaban at night, the Prime Minister directed a group consisting of leaders of the Awami League and 14 parties to discuss with the coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement.[198]

Duration: 24 seconds.0:24

On August 3 at Rangpur Sadar, the agitators chanted slogans like "Chi Chi Hasina, don't live in shame".

An injured person died while undergoing treatment in the early hours of August 3. [199] Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina offered the protestors talks, but in the afternoon, central coordinator Nahid Islam said they had no plans to hold talks with the government. [200] Demonstrators gathered in front of East West University in Aftabnagar in the capital. Students. [201] Thousands of students from various educational institutions of Rajshahi took out a procession around 10:30 am on Saturday and gathered in front of Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET) and raised slogans. On this day, students entered the field with one point, one demand. They demanded the resignation of the Prime Minister.[202] A protest rally of musicians took place at Rabindra Sarovar in Dhanmondi in the capital around the quota reform movement. After four o'clock in the afternoon, the angry crowd started marching towards the central Shaheed Minar in a large procession. Students and ordinary people gathered in the central Shaheed Minar area with protest marches from different areas of the capital. [203] At around 5:30 pm, the coordinator of the organization leading the quota reform movement addressed the students-people gathered at the Shaheed Minar. Nahid Islam. [204] The anti-discrimination student movement announced a unilateral demand for the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her cabinet. [205] The court granted bail to the coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement, Arif Sohel. Before this, at around 5:30 in the afternoon, Member of Parliament for Chittagong-10 Constituency in Lalkhan Bazar of Chittagong city. Mohiuddin Bachchu's office was also attacked. [207] One person was killed in a police clash with agitating students in Sreepur, Gazipur. [208] Sheikh Hasina held discussions with vice-chancellors, teachers and college principals of public and private universities at around 8:30 pm. [209] Kota in Rangpur. Two policemen were temporarily suspended in connection with the death of Begum Rokeya University student Abu Saeed, one of the coordinators of the reform movement. [210] During the anti-discrimination student movement program in Sylhet, students clashed with the police.[211]

August 5

Sheikh Hasina resigned on August 5, 2024. At 2:30 am on 5 August, a military helicopter took Sheikh Hasina from Bangabhaban to West Bengal, India.[212]

One point claim

See also: Non-Cooperation Movement (2024)

Casualties and damages

casualty

Abu Saeed's photograph, taken moments before his death, is considered a symbol of the quota movement. While standing towards the police with his arms outstretched in protest, the police fired rubber bullets at him, he fell down on the ground and died of bleeding before being taken to the hospital.

As of 31 July 2024, more than 266 people have been killed[14] and more than 6,000 injured across the country in combined attacks by BGB, RAB, police and the Bangladesh Army.[120][121][213] [214][215] Apart from those killed by the government, the rest of the dead are considered 'martyrs'. At least 32 children have died in recent violence in Bangladesh, according to the United Nations children's agency UNICEF.[216]

In the indiscriminate firing by the police and other forces, apart from the protestors, some were shot while coming out of the mosque, going down to the house, selling on the streets, playing on the roof of the house, buying ice cream. As a result, boys, girls, children and old people who did not participate in the movement also died. Of these, 113 were children, or 75 percent.[222] Police also arrested and handcuffed many children and teenage students despite breaking the law.[223][224]

Various journalist leaders have alleged that the government has carried out 'genocide' around the quota reform movement. [225] Leaders of various political parties have demanded that the list of those who have been killed in the attack-conflict be presented to the nation. In addition, they called for the disclosure of the names of those who were injured in the incident. The police did not take any initiative to identify these bodies or hand them over to the families. These bodies were lying in different medical colleges, later the police gave the bodies of these 21 people to Anjuman Mufidul Islam from the hospital morgue. The organization later arranged for the bodies to be buried.[227]

About 4,000 people were treated in hospitals around Jatrabari-Shanir Akhra, Uttara-Abdullahpur, Rampura-Bada and Mohammadpur-Basila areas of Dhaka from July 18 to 20. Most of those who came for treatment were bullet-riddled. Meanwhile, the body of the deceased is seen being buried without an autopsy.[131]

The moment RAB's Bell 407 helicopter attacked the protesters.

The RAB's use of helicopters to quell the protests drew widespread criticism. Sound grenades and tear gas shells were fired from helicopters at the protesters.[228] In addition, there were allegations of firing from helicopters, but the RAB denied this, saying, "Tear gas shells and sound grenades were fired from helicopters to disperse those creating obstructions on the road. has been thrown No shots were fired or firearms were used.”[229] Interior Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said on July 24 in response to reporters' questions about the casualty information:[230]

“ We have no account of how many people have died. No case has been filed in any police station. Police are gathering information, will be told later. ”

Director of Dhaka Medical Brigadier General Md. Asaduzzaman said that 81 people died in the Dhaka Medical College (Dhamek) hospital in the conflict. Of these, 60 people were brought dead to the hospital, the rest died while undergoing treatment. [230] 424 people received treatment at the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital in Agargaon in the capital due to eye injuries caused by tear gas and bullets surrounding the movement. Among them, 278 people had to undergo eye surgery. Most of the patients who underwent surgery had gunshot wounds to the eye.[231]

According to the police headquarters, three policemen were killed and 1,117 were injured since the beginning of the movement till July 24. Besides, 235 police stations, outposts and camps were damaged. 281 different types of police vehicles were vandalized and set on fire. [232] According to fire service data, 113 arson incidents occurred across the country in the seven days from July 17 to July 23. Of these, 90 incidents of arson occurred in Dhaka.[232]

According to reports, the dead include:

See also: List of victims of quota reform movement in Bangladesh

Abu Saeed (22) — 12th batch student of Begum Rokeya University's English department and one of the coordinators of the university's quota movement.[233]

Md. Farooq — was an employee of a furniture store.[214]

Wasim Akram — student of Chittagong College and was the joint convener of the college branch Chhatra Dal.[214]

Faisal Ahmed Shanto (24) — was a student of Omrogni MES College.[234]

Md. Shahjahan (25) — He was a hawker in the Newmarket area.[235]

Sabuj Ali (25) — Dhaka College Statistics Department student and Chhatra League worker.[236]

Siam (18) — He was an employee of a battery shop in Gulistan.[215]

Asif and Sakil — students of Northern University.[95][96][97][237]

Deepta Dey — Second year student of Department of Zoology, Madaripur Government College.[98]

Dulal Matbar — Car driver.[99]

Farhan Fayyaz — Class XI student of Dhaka Residential Model College.[238]

Yamin — of the Military Institute of Science and Technology.[239]

Md. Zillur Sheikh — Dhaka Imperial College.[240]

Shaikh Ashhabul Yamin — Computer Science student at MIST, Mirpur[237]

Hasan Mehdi — Personal Correspondent, Dhaka Times[241]

Riya Gop (6) — Shot dead while playing on the roof of a house.[242]

Safqat Samir (11) — a fifth grader in a madrasa.[243]

Tahmid Tamim (15) — Class IX student of Nachima Qadir Mollah High School and Homes in Narsingdi town.[237]

Md. Eamon Mia (22) — Student of Government Shaheed Asad College, Shivpur.[237]

damage

18 July

In Rangpur, angry mob burnt 7 vehicles of RAB, Police and BBG.[244]

State television BTV was attacked and torched. This caused BTV to go off air.[245]

The disaster management building located in Mohakhali was set on fire

Banani's bridge building was vandalized.

RAB vehicles and passenger buses were vandalized in Uttara.

After 5:30 pm, the authorities announced the suspension of metro rail traffic due to the fire on the footover bridge at Mirpur-10 roundabout.

Friday 19 July

25 vehicles were torched and vandalized in front of the Health Department and the Directorate

Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA)

Several government buildings, including the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) headquarters, were attacked, vandalized and set on fire.

Rampura Police Station and Rampura Police Outpost

Mirpur-Five police boxes from roundabout number 10 to Puravi

BRTA Metro-1 office at Mirpur

Several structures, including Metrorail's Kazipara station, suffered extensive damage.[245]

July 20

In Rangpur, miscreants attacked the cooperative market, vandalized police traffic boxes, CCTV cameras installed at various places on the road. At the same time Bangabandhu's mural was set on fire at Bangabandhu Square. A section of the attackers positioned themselves at Jahaj Company intersection and vandalized the District and Mahanagar Muktijoddha Sangsad Complex, Dhaka Bank ATM booth, Harijan Basti along with Arjan (Modern) Liberation War commemorative sculptures.[244]

36 buses caught fire in Narayanganj and Madaripur

About 2.5 lakh small entrepreneurs are facing loss due to non-operation of Facebook.

Internet outage

Cloudflare Radar shows internet outages from July 18 to July 23 Bangladesh time.

Mobile internet was shut down on July 17 (Wednesday) night and broadband internet was shut down on July 18 (Thursday) around 9 pm when clashes broke out over the quota reform movement. Broadband internet service was started on July 23 on a limited basis after five consecutive days of shutdown. On the other hand, the mobile internet service was resumed on July 28 after being closed for ten consecutive days. [246] It was later learned that the internet was closed on government orders.[83]

Explaining the shutdown of mobile internet on July 17, State Minister for Telecommunication and Information Technology Junaid Ahmed highlighted the issue of national and citizen security. On July 18, the government blamed the fire on the data center of Khawaja Tower located in Mohakhali, Dhaka for the shutdown of broadband internet, but later the institutional statements of various companies mainly blamed the government's instructions. The security guard of Khawaja Tower said that the incident of fire happened in one building after another in the disaster management building. But everyone is just coming to Khawaja Tower and looking. But nothing happened in this building. The building has been closed for the past few days due to security reasons.[83][247] President of Bangladesh Cellphone Consumers Association Mohiuddin Ahmed said, “What is being said about internet shutdown is wrong, fabricated and baseless. We went to Mahakhali and saw no damage.”[83]

An International Internet Gateway (IIG) company received instructions to shut down the Internet at 8:48 pm on July 18, a top official of the company told Prothom Alo on condition of anonymity. After receiving instructions, they stopped the supply of bandwidth to ISPs at the customer level. [83] However, the Minister of State for Posts and Telecommunications Junaid Ahmed Palak kept the matter a secret. [248] On July 18, a senior official of a mobile operator company told BBC Bangla that they had suspended mobile internet services on government orders. [249] Mobile operators were sent e-mails asking them to shut down the internet. However, the e-mail was not sent from any institution under Junaid Ahmed's Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications. The e-mail was a message from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission.[83] Grameenphone's owner, Telenor Asia, said in a statement that mobile internet services in Bangladesh had been suspended at the behest of local authorities.[82]

Cloudflare Radar X logo, stylized X letter

@CloudflareRadar

ইংরেজি: Bangladesh is experiencing a near complete #Internet outage after a government-ordered shutdown of mobile networks. Traffic and announced address space dropped to near-zero around 15:00 UTC (21:00 local).

Complete #internet outage in Bangladesh after government-ordered shutdown of mobile networks. Traffic and advertised address space drop to near-zero at 15:00 UTC (21:00 local time).

19 July 2024[250]

Internet monitoring service provider Cloudflare tweeted directly blaming the Bangladesh government for the internet shutdown. According to the US-based non-profit organization 'Internet Society', the internet was completely shut down in Bangladesh for a total of 5 days and 12 hours from 18 to 23 July.[251]

With no internet for five days, electricity and gas bills, online money transactions, mobile top-ups, online shopping, freelancing, buying air tickets, online entertainment media (OTT, YouTube etc.) and education — all services are stopped. Businesses face problems in running their business activities.

According to Mohiuddin Ahmed, President of Bangladesh Mobile Consumers Association, 30 percent business has decreased in the telecommunication industry due to the shutdown of internet services. Due to this, 13 crore internet users and another 5 crore internet beneficiaries faced huge losses. Due to the shutdown of the internet, all government utility customers, especially gas, electricity, fresh water, withdrawal of money at ATM booths, mobile banking services were severely disrupted. In total, the daily loss to customers is about 10 thousand crore rupees.[252]

Online freelancers and software service providers are the most affected due to lack of internet.[253] According to Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS), the loss of software sector in five days due to internet connectivity is over Tk 500 crore.[254]

Supreme Court verdict

August 7 was scheduled as the date of hearing in the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on quota. However, as the law and order situation in the country deteriorated, Law Minister Anisul Haque directed the Attorney General to take necessary steps to bring forward the hearing of the case. [255] Following the government's plea on July 18, the special chambers judge of Justice Md Inayetur Rahim fixed July 21 for the leave-to-appeal hearing. And it is placed at number 3 of the agenda of the Appellate Division.[256]

At 10:17 a.m. on July 21, the hearing of the Appellate Division started in the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. Lawyer Ahsanul Karim drew the court's attention and applied to hear the 'subject matter' of quota on behalf of some students. A few more lawyers then ask for permission. Later, the court allowed five lawyers to appear. After the hearing of all parties, the verdict was announced around 1 pm. The judgment set aside the judgment of the High Court and ordered 93 percent merit-based recruitment in government jobs.[114] The judgment of the Appellate Division stated:[257]

“ Aiming at the principle of equality and ensuring the representation of backward communities in the work of the republic, the quota system for getting employment in various institutions of the government i.e. government, semi-government, autonomous institutions is 93 percent based on merit, 5 percent for children of freedom fighters, martyred freedom fighters and veterans, 1 percent for minorities and third. 1 percent is fixed for gender. ”

Besides, the court immediately ordered the government to issue a notification in this regard. Later on July 23, the Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification in this regard. It states:[118]

“ No.-05.00.0000.170.11.014.24-141⸺Government hereby issues an order to the effect that with a view to ensure the principle of equality and representation of backward communities in the functioning of the Republic in various institutions of the Government i.e. Government, Semi-Government, Autonomous/Semi-Autonomous. In the case of direct recruitment to the posts/jobs of the Institutions, Self-governing and Statutory Authorities and various Corporations, quotas have been fixed in all grades as follows-

(a) merit based 93%;

(b) 5% for children of freedom fighters, martyred freedom fighters and heroes;

(c) Minorities 1%; And

(d) 1% for physically challenged and third sex.

2. If eligible candidates are not found in the prescribed quota, the vacant posts of the respective quota will be filled from the general merit list.

3. All circulars/notifications/orders/instructions/disciplines previously issued including Circular No. 05.00.0000.170.11.07.18-276 dated 04 October 2018 of the Rule-1 Branch of the Ministry of Public Administration of the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh are revoked. .

4. This order will be effective immediately.

”

Mass arrest and detention

Bangladesh Police along with intelligence wing, RAB arrested a large number of protesting students and members of opposition political parties. As of July 30, more than 10,500 people were arrested. [258] Although the government said it would not arrest the protesters, it was found that 87 percent of those arrested in Dhaka had no political identity, and the same picture was found everywhere in the country. There have been reports of shootings and vandalism.[260]

In Bangladesh, the mass arrests around the quota reform movement started mainly from 19th July. In different parts of the country, especially around specific areas of Dhaka, arrest operations were carried out with 'block raids' at midnight. In addition to political leaders and workers, students, businessmen, laborers, day laborers and people of various classes and professions have been arrested in these raids. According to media reports, more than 10,000 people have been detained by the law enforcement agencies.[260] In these operations, not only the harassment of ordinary people, but also human rights violations are being accused against the law enforcement agencies.[261]

On July 23, after failing to find the elder brother, plainclothes police arrested his younger brother, who did not participate in the movement and is an HSC candidate. He was later sent to jail by the police court. [262] On July 26, three coordinators of the movement, Nahid Islam, Asif Mahmud and Abu Bakar Majumdar, were arrested by plainclothes policemen from Gonoshasthaya Kendra Hospital. On July 27, the other coordinators of the movement, Sarjis Alam and Hasnat Abdullah, were arrested by the DB. On July 28, plainclothes police arrested two more coordinators, Nusrat Tabassum and Arif Sohail. On this day, in the presence of five coordinators, Nahid Islam announced the withdrawal of the movement program in a video message from the DB office.[263] However, other coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement alleged that these people were forced by the DB to make statements. The rest of the coordinators announced that they would continue their agitation.[264]

Controversy

Razaka controversy

Rajshahi University students chanting slogans 'wanted rights, become rajakars' on 14 July 2024 at 11:30 pm

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on 14 July 2024 in Ganobhaban about quota:[25]

“ If the freedom fighters' grandchildren don't get it, will Razakar's grandchildren get it? My question is to the countrymen. Razakar's grandchildren will get jobs, not freedom fighters? What is the crime? ”

The Razakars were a paramilitary force that opposed the independence of Bangladesh during the Bangladesh War of Independence and cooperated with the Pakistan Army. In post-independence Bangladesh, the term Razakar is considered negative. In response to the Prime Minister's remarks, students chanted “Who are you? who am i Rajakar, Rajakar; Who said? Who said? Tyranny, Tyranny” and “Going for rights; [26] The agitating students said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's statement aimed at the agitators was insulting. This statement angered the protesting ordinary students.

Nahid Islam, one of the coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement, said, "We protested last night and demanded the Prime Minister withdraw his speech at 12 o'clock on Monday. As there is no withdrawal, we have taken to the streets”. According to the previous announcement, students from various halls of DU started gathering at the Raju sculpture area from 12 noon on July 15. At this time, the agitators shouted different slogans. In front of the Raju sculpture on this day, the students started chanting various slogans including 'I wanted rights, I became Razakar'. A student who participated in the movement said that the Prime Minister has hurt the minds of the protesting students. Razakar called everyone except the freedom fighters. We demand withdrawal of his statement and rational quota reform.

The Bangladesh Chhatra League threatened that any protester using this slogan would be sent to Pakistan, the opposite force of the liberation war. The organization said that the protestors hurt the spirit of freedom struggle and freedom fighters and that they should not be seen after July 15. They announced to protest if the use of these slogans was not stopped. On July 15, Chhatra League President Saddam Hussain warned the protesters that he would 'show them the end'.[265] Social Welfare Minister Dipu Moni addressed the protesters:[266]

“ Those who identify themselves as Razakars have no right to march with the red and green flag of the martyrs of the liberation war in their hands or with the flag tied on their foreheads. ”

These incidents led the Prime Minister to question the education of the protesters and called their behavior "extremely deplorable".[267]

Other Controversies

On July 13, 2024, Ten Minute School founder Ayman Sadiq posted on Facebook expressing solidarity with the protesting students. After the armed attack by the Chhatra League on student protestors at DU on 14 July, he wrote:[268]

“ Bloody Dhaka University! Why is there blood on my campus? protest ”

— Ayman Sadiq (Chief Executive Officer, Ten Minute School)

On July 16, "Startup Bangladesh Limited", a venture capital company under the Information and Communication Technology Department of the Government of Bangladesh, canceled their proposal to invest 5 crore rupees in the Ten Minute School. [269] Netizens criticized this, with many writing that the cancellation of the allocation was due to taking a stand in favor of quota reform. [270] State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, Junaid Ahmed Palak, when asked the reason, said "If anyone raises a debate about Bangladesh, the Liberation War and Bangabandhu, takes a position against these ideals, the government will take action".[271] He declined to comment on that.[272]

On July 16, Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, shocked by the 'Rajakar' slogan of the students, wrote, "Dhaka University is my university, my favorite university." But I think, I will never want to go to this university again. If you look at the students, you will think that they are the 'kings'. And as long as I live, I don't want to see the face of any Razakar. There is only one life, why should I see Razakars again in that life?" This comment sparked criticism on social media[273] and on the same day several bookstores in Bangladesh, including Rockmarie, stopped selling his books.[274] In addition, student activists at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology declared him undesirable.[275]

response

internal

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) condemned the attack by the Chhatra League on the agitators. The party's politician Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said the government is trying to deprive the students of their rights by calling them Razakars. [276] In a statement sent to the media on July 16, 114 prominent citizens of the country condemned the attack on the agitators and demanded punishment. [277] At Purana Paltan intersection in Dhaka. In a rally held, politicians of the Left Democratic Alliance also condemned and said "instead of announcing that the government would accept the demand for rational reform of the quota system, the government is making inflammatory statements".[278] Transparency International Bangladesh also condemned the incident.[279]

Dainik Prothom Alo managing editor and writer Anisul Haque wrote in a column published on July 17, "Where everyone wants reform, why is there so much blood". [280] This evening, the US Embassy in Dhaka issued a statement regarding the movement of US citizens stationed in Bangladesh, particularly in public university areas. Advises to exercise caution. At the same time, on 18 July, it announced the closure of the embassy to the general public.[281]

In a column published in daily Prothom Alo on July 23, the opposition leader of the Jatiya Sangsad GM Quader wrote, "Because of some decisions of the government, because of stubbornness, because of imposing decisions by force, so many lives were lost." The government should have taken responsibility for the mother's lap that was empty, the family that was destroyed.”[282]

Jahangirnagar teacher Zahidul Karim submitted his resignation in protest against the attack on students on July 25. He was working as an Associate Professor in the Department of Management Studies at the University.[283]

Various popular Bangladeshi bands announced a boycott of the government-sponsored Jai Bangla concert to protest the government's continued deadly attacks on students.[284]

international

United States On July 15, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller condemned the attack on BCL protesters, claiming the deaths of two anti-quota protesters.[285] The next day, on July 15, Bangladesh Foreign Ministry spokesperson Sehli Sabrin condemned the comments as "baseless".[286] 24 In July, the United States approved the departure of non-essential US embassy personnel. [287] On July 30, US State Department Deputy Spokesman Vedanta Patel said that the United States would provide unwavering support to any peaceful assembly around the quota reform movement in Bangladesh. At the same time, they want a permanent and peaceful solution to the ongoing situation. [288] In addition, on this day, Senators Ben Cardin and Cory Booker made a statement condemning the use of force by law enforcement forces on the protesters demanding quota reform. They also called for those involved in human rights violations to be held accountable.[289]

At the UN Secretary-General's regular press briefing on July 16, spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the United Nations was closely monitoring the situation, while he called on the government to take measures to protect protesters from any threats and confrontations. [291] On July 19, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern over the ongoing situation in Bangladesh and called on the government to ensure a favorable environment for dialogue and encouraged the protesters to engage in dialogue to resolve the impasse. On July 24, the United Nations said it wanted a transparent and credible investigation of all incidents of violence and the speedy opening of full Internet. [292] On July 29, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres received credible evidence of excessive use of force by security guards against protesting students and human rights violations, his spokesman Stephen Dujarric said. He also said that the UN Secretary General is ready to take action according to his mandate if necessary in any situation.[293]

On 16 July, Amnesty International also condemned the attacks on protesters and called on the government to "immediately guarantee the safety of all peaceful protesters and proper treatment of the injured".[294]

European Union On 17 July, Charles Whiteley, the European Union's ambassador to Bangladesh, said that "friends and partners of Bangladesh want to see a quick resolution to the current situation" and urged the government to "avoid further violence and bloodshed".[295] On 31 July, the European Union called on the EU–Bangladesh partnership and It postponed the first round of talks on the cooperation agreement to be held in September. An EU spokesman said talks had been suspended "in light of the prevailing situation".[296]

UK On 18 July, the UK government's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office expressed concern about the violence following the protests, calling on both sides to 'stop the violence and find a peaceful way forward'.[297] On 23 July, the UK Parliament tabled a motion entitled 'Student protests in Bangladesh'. However, the motion states that violence, unlawful killings, internet service shutdowns and other forms of repression are unacceptable and in conflict with Bangladesh's human rights obligations.[298]

India On July 21, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed condolences for the slain Bangladeshi students and said she would grant asylum to anyone from Bangladesh.[299]

Out of Bangladesh

protest for students in Italy

In India, on 17 July the Nikhil Bharat Student Association expressed their solidarity with student protests in Bangladesh.[300] On 18 July the All India Democratic Students' Organization (AIDSO) demonstrated in Kolkata, West Bengal in support of Bangladeshi students.[301]

In Nepal, on 20 July the All Nepal National Free Students' Union held a rally in solidarity with the quota reform movement in Bangladesh and to protest the killing of students.[302]

Bangladeshi students held a protest rally and march in solidarity with the July 17 movement in Sydney, Australia. The rally was attended by students from several universities.[303]

On the other hand, in the United Arab Emirates, expatriate Bangladeshis also organized demonstrations protesting the Bangladesh government's crackdown on protesters. However, as any kind of demonstration without permission is prohibited in the United Arab Emirates, 57 people were arrested from the demonstration and sentenced to various terms.[304]

Expatriate Bangladeshis held a protest march and rally in Berlin, the capital of Germany, in solidarity with the students who were injured in the movement. Protesters at the rally called for an immediate end to the violence, including cases of attacks on ordinary students, and also demanded the withdrawal of the army from the streets.[305]

In addition, demonstrations and rallies were held in Leipzig, Dusseldorf, Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Hamburg, Nuremberg, Dresden, Magdeburg, Bremen, Essen, Bonn, Munich, Brandenburg, Mönchengladbach. In addition, demonstrations and rallies in solidarity with the protesting ordinary students were held in The Hague, the capital of the Netherlands in Europe, Venice in Italy, Paris in France, Northern Cyprus, Portsmouth in the United Kingdom, and Warsaw.[306]

Demonstrations and protest rallies were held in various places of the United States including New York to protest the attacks and killings of protesting students. On Thursday, April 18 and Sunday, April 21, families joined a rally in New York's Times Square, along with expatriate Bangladeshis and new generation students. In the rally, the angry students attacked and assaulted Hasanuzzaman Saki, US correspondent of Samad TV and associate editor of weekly Azkal, alleging 'biased news reporting'. Apart from this, protests were held in front of the United Nations headquarters, in Jamaica, New York City, in Jackson Heights, New York, in front of the White House, in front of the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington, in Pennington Park in the state of New Jersey, in Georgia, in Kent University, in the University of North Carolina, in the University of Michigan, in the University of Florida, in Chicago, In various places, including in Pennsylvania. All expressed solidarity with the protesting students in the rally.[307]

Bangladeshi Communication Scholars in North America, a platform of Bangladeshi communication scholars based in North America, has expressed deep concern over the violent suppression of protesting students. A statement said, 'We stand in solidarity with the students of Bangladesh; Those who have rightfully protested for reform of the discriminatory quota system in government jobs and are now demanding justice for the deaths of unarmed civilians and ongoing legal harassment. We support the demands of general students of Bangladesh to reform the unfair quota system. We also support the growing demand for greater political reform and accountability for killers.' A total of 50 teachers, PhD researchers and students signed the statement.[308]

In solidarity with the agitators, demonstrations and protest rallies were held in Tokyo, Japan, on the initiative of the expatriate Bangladeshi student society. In addition to expatriate Bangladeshi students, various professional expatriates also participated in this protest rally near the Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo on July 21. [309] In the end, Sheikh Hasina could not prevent the collapse of her government. The Awami League government had to surrender before the mass movement. Sheikh Hasina's surrender was so heartbreaking that she could not stay in Bangladesh even as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. He had to flee the country. It is known that he has obtained political asylum in India along with his younger sister Sheikh Rehana. When the helicopter carrying him is flying in the sky, the common people have also seen the scene on different channels. No one could have ever imagined that this exodus of Sheikh Hasina and the tragic fall of the Awami League government would happen. The country has now fully adopted the army. The army chief has already addressed the nation at around 4 pm on Monday. There he said - the agitators must be completely calm now. No more destructive work can be done. He emphasized on forming an interim government within a short period of time. He said that he will discuss this matter with the President in a short time. He asked all the people of the country to remain calm. He said - leaders of all political parties have already been spoken to. The army chief requested Sabai to have faith in the army. He said that he has taken responsibility for everything in the country. The army chief has assured that all the killings that have taken place during this movement will be given a fair trial. He has repeatedly said that he is taking responsibility for everything. Advising everyone to remain calm from now on, he said - no more violence; Now everyone has to help to make everything normal. He also said that there is no need for curfew now. Everything will be calm now. He requested everyone to remain calm, mentioning that there was amicable discussion with the leaders of all other political parties except Awami League. He expressed the hope that if everyone is calm, the country will definitely return to normalcy from now on. It is to be noted that the amount of vandalism and destruction caused during the quota reform movement in the last one month, the terrorist activities which have been carried out have caused great damage to government and public properties with massive loss of life. It was by no means desirable. The movement should have been peaceful. At first, however, this quota-reform movement was peaceful. But due to the words of some ministers of the government and the repeated attacks of the student organization of the ruling party Awami League, that once peaceful quota movement has spread like wildfire outside the capital. This movement that spread across the country was ultimately not in the hands of the agitators. As a result of the participation of people from all classes and professions, it became a movement for everyone. The parents of the students also came down to the streets to protest. However, once the vested interests and their miscreant followers started arson around this movement, everything turned violent. The situation was relatively better for a few days in between, but since last Sunday, when the agitating students called for a nationwide non-cooperation movement, the entire country, including the capital, became extremely unstable again. In this situation, the statement of the army comes forward. We see in the press that the patriotic army's statement was absolutely clear. They said, Bangladesh Army is completely people's army. They will always be with the people in any crisis of the nation. We also know that the army always works as a servant of the country. In the end, even in the current crisis, it was seen that the army did the right thing as they said. Acknowledging their all-out support to the mass movement, they took control of the overall situation in the country. The people of the country could be completely relieved from the speech of the army chief. Now if all the situation in the country is normal, it will be good for everyone.

No one could have imagined that the quota reform movement would reach the stage of popular uprising and that it would turn into such a massive movement. At first it was not clear what the nature of the leadership of this movement was. This movement was initially an anti-quota movement and it was entirely a student movement. Then this movement of students was completely peaceful. The government should have reached an agreement with the students in such a way that the students are satisfied, the countrymen are satisfied. The demand of the students was that the quota should be slightly reduced for the grandchildren of the freedom fighters. At that time, this quota reform movement of students was progressing peacefully. At one point, the general secretary of the Awami League gave a provocative speech, after which the students became agitated. He said that the leaders and workers of Chhatra League are ready to stop these movements. After that, we saw - Chhatra League workers attacked the students' righteous movement, the police also hurled lathicharge and tearshells to disperse them. Thus a peaceful movement centered on Dhaka University spread across the country. The result is today's mass uprising. In fact, no reliable political leader or any political party has ever been found in the settlement of any of our long-standing movements. This was proved in the quota reform movement. Sheikh Hasina ignored the demands of the heart of the students and brought about the ultimate downfall for herself and her government.

We have seen that since 1972, politics has gone towards depoliticization. Then I saw various interpretations and analyzes of this word depoliticization published in the newspapers of Dhaka. These words were used a lot because that was the direction politics was taking. Then, in the eighties, we see the feature of depoliticization in politics. The first blow came on the Election Commission. In our country, no one has been able to fully trust the Election Commission of all the parties. It was seen that the other parties have no confidence in the Election Commission which was established during the government of one party. If we analyze politics, it can be seen that in the eighties, Awami League, BNP and Left Alliances have gone towards depoliticization in the field of politics. After the end of the eighties in the beginning of the nineties when the BNP came to power, the Awami League raised allegations of vote rigging and then when the Awami League came to power, the BNP raised allegations of vote rigging. All the blame fell on the Election Commission. In terms of trust, the Election Commission is in crisis. This is how the politics of our country is walking on the path of depoliticization amid conflicting accusations and accusations. No one knows where it will end. Today there is such a huge movement of students in the country and the violent incidents that took place in it - these are nothing but the characteristics of walking on the path of depoliticization. In the end, the students won through a mass uprising, but the nation had to pay a heavy price for it. The movement led to widespread violence and a large number of people died. Who is behind the violence? Awami League says Jamaat-BNP is behind it. But not all people of the country feel the same way. It is true that there was equal participation of our people here. This fact cannot be denied. In fact, many things can happen because politics is not in the place of politics. Was the idea of ​​caretaker government a very transparent idea? non-partisan, impartial people who stay outside of politics; An interim government should be formed by some such people and their leadership should be elected. Is it a very transparent idea? Not at all. Essentially, it is necessary to eliminate the mistakes of politics and organize a fair election. And for this the Election Commission should be given the opportunity to work independently.

The movement under the name of quota-reform changed its form and eventually turned into a mass movement. This movement should now be called the movement of changing the day. Because, it has already become a history as a movement to overthrow the government. But this movement caused a lot of destruction. Not based on any fictitious sources, those who have actually done these destructions should be caught and brought under the law. The army chief, however, said in his speech that he would arrange to prosecute every murder.

Sheikh Hasina has ruined the peaceful situation in the early days of the movement due to her short-sightedness. Even with all his might he could not control the movement which could have been controlled so easily. In the end he had to flee the country. A head of government who has ruled the country for fifteen consecutive years and has to flee the country through a mass coup is very sad. This is what I would call his extreme short-sightedness in politics. Public support is essential to stay in power. It goes without saying that Sheikh Hasina's public support has dwindled towards the end. As the movement that just ended was not ultimately a quota-reform movement, it turned into a movement to bring down the government and ultimately led to the downfall of the government. However, in any movement-struggle, violent incidents occur - in which a lot of property is also lost - which is an irreparable loss for the country and the nation. It is never desirable.

The agitation by the students of the quota-reform movement for the last one month, it has been seen that they have frequently changed their demands to one-sided demands and settled for a while. That is the fall of the government. It wasn't long before that fall. The government fell within three days of one-sided demands. This government would not have collapsed if even five percent of what Sheikh Hasina was flexible about at the end had been done earlier. It is a history lesson for all. The use of excess power is not good, that is the proof. The just demands of students or common people have to be taken into account and given importance.