On August 5, 2024, Bangladesh was shrouded in turmoil as agitation for the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina escalated, leading to her eventual resignation and exit from the country.
The upheaval, triggered by opposition to a government job quota system, resulted in a minimum of 300 fatalities, including 14 police officers. Several injuries were reported countrywide. The conflict extended to numerous regions such as Dhaka, Bogura, Pabna, Rangpur, Magura, Cumilla, Barisal, and Feni.
The protests started with students advocating for the termination of a quota system that set aside 30 percent of government jobs for families of war veterans. This quickly transformed into a wider anti-government demonstration, attracting a varied demographic frustrated by high unemployment rates and economic discrepancies. Approximately 18 million young Bangladeshis are jobless, contributing to public dissatisfaction.
The government reacted with stern measures, implementing a shoot-on-sight curfew and a countrywide internet blackout to limit the dissemination of information and deter further organization. However, despite these actions, protesters persisted in congregating, demanding justice and accountability. Amnesty International recorded instances of excessive violence, including the deployment of deadly firearms against unarmed protestors.
In Dhaka, police utilized tear gas and rubber bullets to scatter crowds, prompting violent confrontations. A student activist who witnessed the violence, told Al Jazeera, “I am on the street right now, and I can see so many people here. This is not just a student protest or a ‘quota protest’”
The disruption has attracted global attention. Both Amnesty International and the United Nations implored the Bangladeshi government to safeguard peaceful protesters and hold those accountable for the violence. This sentiment was echoed by the United States and other nations, highlighting the necessity for a peaceful resolution.
The government of Prime Minister Hasina charged opposition parties, particularly the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), of provoking the violence. In retaliation, they arrested thousands, including several protest movement leaders. “The government is continuing to show complete and utter insensitivity to our movement,” said Abdul Kader, a coordinator of Students Against Discrimination.
The Supreme Court attempted to address the demands of the protesters by reducing the job quota system to five percent, with the majority of positions now assigned on merit. However, this did not placate the protesters, who demanded the total abolition of quotas and a public apology from Prime Minister Hasina for the violence.
Prime Minister Hasina resigned and left the country on August 5, 2024, heading to seek asylum in England via India in the wake of intense pressure and rising violence. The army chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, announced an interim government and appealed for calm, vowing to restore order and ensure justice for those affected by the crackdown. Hasina is currently in India, planning her next move. She faces uncertainty as the British government has suggested she may not get the anticipated legal protection she seeks in the UK.
The current situation remains unsettled, with new protests planned and a curfew ongoing. As the government grapples with maintaining control, the future of Bangladesh’s political scene is uncertain. The international community continues to monitor closely, urging restraint and dialogue to avert further loss of life.
