Bangladesh Violence Student Protest Against Reservation Killed 32 Protestors Set Fire To State TV Headquarter

The violence against reservation continues in Bangladesh and so far 32 people have died in this violence. There was large-scale violence in Bangladesh on Thursday when protesters set fire to the state TV headquarters in Dhaka and also destroyed several vehicles parked at the headquarters. In fact, a day earlier i.e. on Wednesday itself, Bangladesh’s government TV BTV had interviewed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Protesters in Bangladesh are adamant on their demand to end reservation. Sheikh Hasina government has ordered the indefinite closure of all schools and universities in the country in view of the violence. Also, instructions have been given to make strict security arrangements to control the situation.

What is the reason for Bangladesh violence?

Bangladesh got independence in the year 1971. Reservation system has been in force in Bangladesh since independence. Under this, there was a provision of 30 percent reservation for the children of freedom fighters, 10 percent for the youth of backward districts of the country, 10 percent for women, 5 percent for minorities and one percent for the disabled. Thus, there was 56 percent reservation in government jobs in Bangladesh. In the year 2018, the youth of Bangladesh demonstrated against this reservation. After several months of protests, the Bangladesh government announced the end of reservation.

Last month, on June 5, the Supreme Court of Bangladesh ordered to re-implement the old reservation system in the country. Sheikh Hasina government also appealed against the decision of the Supreme Court, but the Supreme Court upheld the order. This angered the students and they started protesting. This protest, which started from the universities of Bangladesh, has now turned into violence.

Violence broke out after the telecast of Sheikh Hasina’s interview

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in an interview with state TV BTV, appealed to the people to follow law and order and also expressed grief over the deaths of the protesters. The Prime Minister talked about judicial inquiry into the deaths of the protesters, but despite this, violence continues in Bangladesh and an increase in incidents of violence was seen on Thursday. Police fired rubber bullets and tear gas shells to control the protesters, but this further fueled the anger of the protesters. Around 25 protesters are reported to have been killed in Thursday’s violence alone. Most of those who died were victims of police firing.

Violence has engulfed many cities of the country including Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka. The protesters say that due to reservation, more children of those who took part in the freedom struggle of Bangladesh are selected in civil services. This class is generally considered to be supporters of Sheikh Hasina government. The protesters say that for this reason there is a majority of people in the bureaucracy who are supporters of the Sheikh Hasina government and thus most of the institutions of the country are occupied by the government supporters.