The crisis in Bangladesh has reached a critical point, with the death toll from student-led protests rising to at least 133 people since the unrest began. The government has responded with increasingly severe measures, including a nationwide curfew, military deployment, and a near-total internet and telecommunications shutdown. Most alarmingly, authorities have now issued ‘shoot-on-sight’ orders to police in an attempt to quell the growing civil unrest.The protests, which initially began as a response to the reinstatement of a controversial quota system for government jobs, have evolved into broader anti-government demonstrations. The quota system, which reserves 30% of government positions for descendants of independence war fighters and an additional 26% for other groups including women and ethnic minorities, has been a major point of contention, particularly among young people facing high unemployment rates.The situation took a dramatic turn when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina labeled those opposing the quota as ‘Razakar’, a term used to describe collaborators with the Pakistani army during the 1971 war of independence. This derogatory term, associated with wartime atrocities, has provoked unprecedented violence and further inflamed tensions.The international community has responded to the escalating crisis. The United States has issued a level four travel advisory for Bangladesh due to ‘civil unrest’ and has authorized the voluntary departure of non-emergency personnel and their families. Canada has expressed deep concern over the violence and called for a peaceful resolution.As the crisis unfolds, there are reports of widespread disruption across the country. Banks are unable to operate, major news portals are offline, and nearly 1,000 Indian students have returned to India. The Supreme Court is expected to hear a case regarding the quota system on Sunday, which may prove crucial in determining the next steps in this ongoing crisis.
Key points
- The death toll from protests in Bangladesh has risen to at least 133, with the government issuing ‘shoot-on-sight’ orders.
- Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s use of the term ‘Razakar’ has provoked unprecedented violence during the quota protests.
- The United States has issued a level four travel advisory for Bangladesh due to the civil unrest.
Contradictions👾There are varying reports of the death toll, with some sources citing 114 deaths, while others report 133 or 105.
This discrepancy may be due to different reporting times or sources.
