Bangladeshi students, enraged by the quota system for government jobs, set fire to the state broadcaster on Thursday, escalating their protests against what they perceive as a discriminatory system. The protests erupted a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina appeared on the broadcaster to address the deadly clashes that killed at least 39 people. Hundreds of protesters, demanding reforms to the civil service hiring process, clashed with riot police who fired rubber bullets. The angry crowd chased retreating officers to the Bangladesh Television (BTV) headquarters in Dhaka, setting fire to the reception building and dozens of parked vehicles.
The protests center around the quota system, which reserves up to 30% of government jobs for relatives of veterans from Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence against Pakistan. Students argue that the system is discriminatory, favoring supporters of Prime Minister Hasina’s Awami League party, which led the independence movement. They advocate for a merit-based system, arguing that the current system undermines fairness and equality.
The government, however, supports the quota system, arguing that veterans deserve recognition for their wartime contributions. Prime Minister Hasina has urged patience, stating that the Supreme Court will deliver a verdict on the matter by August 7. Despite this, the protests have continued.
The issue has sparked unrest in the past, with large student protests in 2018 leading to the suspension of the quotas. However, the High Court overturned that decision last month, prompting the latest round of protests. The Supreme Court has since suspended the High Court’s ruling, promising a decision by August 7.
The government has blamed the main opposition parties, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the right-wing Jamaat-e-Islami party, for inciting unrest. The BNP has endorsed the students’ call for a shutdown on Thursday.
This situation highlights the deep-seated frustration among Bangladeshi students, who are grappling with limited job opportunities and a perceived lack of fairness in the government’s hiring practices. The protests underscore the need for a transparent and merit-based system to ensure equal opportunities for all.
