My political foes are to blame for the long-standing violence in my country, said Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as she justified imposing a curfew to protect lives. “I never wanted it,” she told business leaders in Dhaka on Monday. “We will lift the curfew whenever the situation gets better.”
Background of the Unrest
The trouble began after a ruling by Bangladesh’s highest court scrapped most government job quotas, triggering violent protests across the country. More than 150 people have died in clashes between demonstrators and police officers. The protests have grown into calls for Ms Hasina’s resignation.
Accusations Against Opposition
She has accused the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamaat-e-Islami, along with their student wings, of being behind the violence. She promised that her administration would “crush these militants and create a good atmosphere. Political commentators see the unrest as one of Asia’s most influential women leaders’ challenges yet.
Historical Context and Controversial Quotas
Before this court decision, roughly 30% of high-paying public sector jobs were set aside for children whose parents fought during the country’s 1971 war of independence from Pakistan. This year’s verdict reduced that quota to 5%. In 2018, reservations were abolished by Ms Hasina’s government following protests but reinstated through another court order last month, sparking fresh turmoil.
Student Protests and Government Reaction
Recent demonstrations, led primarily by university students, argued that the quota system unfairly favors children from pro-government bodies while demanding a meritocracy-based recruitment process. According to experts, police initially ignored protesters’ concerns, which only worsened matters.
On July 14th, she defended quotas, heightening divisions between descendants of those who supported freedom fighters during the liberation struggle and their opponents. At a press conference, she asked why protesters were so angry toward those who fought for independence—comments that further inflamed passions among marchers, thousands of whom marched through streets across Dhaka and other cities.
Current Situation and Government Actions
In a bid to contain the unrest, authorities have arrested around 500 people and declared curfews countrywide, with military personnel deployed to help restore order. The central government shut down mobile internet services and text messaging platforms for at least five days, hoping this would suppress demonstrations.
