Bangladesh Protests: Where it All Started?
The groups of students were disappointed with the controversial quota system that incubated the Bangladesh protests. Sheikh Hasina’s father, PM Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, introduced a quota system in 1972 after the Liberation War that took place in 1971.
Accordingly, the descendants of those who contributed to the movement to free Bangladesh from Pakistan were granted a 30% quota in public sector jobs and civil service. This percentage was increased to 56% by the High Court in June 2024 after the relatives of the 1971 veterans filed petitions.
This decision added oil to the fire. This 56% consists of the descendants of the freedom fighters, specific groups, women and those from the ‘backward districts.’ However, last month, the Supreme Court kept only 7% of the jobs for the descendants of the 1971 war veterans.
Students looking for a merit-based system started with a protest and demanded Sheikh Hasina’s resignation. According to Daily Star, the organisers of these protests, with multiple demands, declared a refusal to pay taxes and utility bills to the government. Moreover, private and government offices shall remain closed during the protests.
Reasons for Sheikh Hasina’s Resignation
1.The Jobs Quota
The jobs quota is the most-known reason for people’s disappointment against Sheikh Hasina according to the Bangladesh news updates.
2. Control Over the Media
Bangladesh news media outlets and journalists were allegedly harassed during her tenure and had to face shutdowns and legal action.
3. Dictatorship
Hasina allegedly suppressed her opposition voices and multiple opposition leaders were arrested in her tenure. Elections allegedly included violence. Her government is also accused of contributing to extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances.
The Critical Misstep
During the press conference held on 14 July, Hasina allegedly used the word ‘Razakar’ for the protesters protesting against the job quota. ‘Razakar’ means ‘volunteers’ but is also used to refer to the supporters of the Pakistan Military in 1971 who were accused of evil crimes.
Within hours, students began protesting with slogans containing the word ‘Razakar’ on them. Hasina later allegedly covered her words by comparing them to terrorists.
Allegedly, Hasina also wanted to have a peaceful conversation with the leaders of the protestors, but the leaders found her request insincere and continued with the protests with violence in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Crisis: After Sheikh Hasina Fled
After a tenure of 15 years, Hasina was given an ultimatum of 45 minutes to step down. She resigned and fled on 05 August 2024 (Monday) with her younger sister, Sheikh Rehana. Here’s what happened after that:
- According to NDTV, the Bangladesh crisis led to unrest in the country taking the lives of over 200 people in July.
- The United Nations called on to avoid further violence and maintain peace.
- Hasina landed in Uttar Pradesh, India, on 05 August 2024 (Monday).
- According to the Times of India, Bangladesh Army’s General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced Hasina’s resignation and informed about the economic crisis.
- Hasina met Ajit Doval, the National Security Advisor in India.
- Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar chaired a meeting on 06 August 2024 (Tuesday) and explained to all parties the situation and how the military is handling the protests there. He also explained about other steps being taken by the Indian government.
- Hasina is expected to go to the UK to seek political asylum, but the UK has not yet confirmed the provision of asylum to her.
- The leaders of the protestors are demanding a new peaceful government and General Waker-Uz-Zaman is expected to meet them on 06 August 2024 (Tuesday).
- Mohammed Shahabuddin, the president of Bangladesh chaired a meeting on 05 August 2024 (Monday) evening to discuss the formation of a new government that would be backed by military. This meeting was attended by the leaders of multiple opposition parties and the heads of navy and airforce.
- The Bangladeshi parliament is expected to have dissolved on 06 August.
Economic Crisis in Bangladesh
Here’s how an economic crisis and Bangladesh news updates are getting tracked amid the protests:
- Indian traders are facing delayed payments.
- The normal flow of goods is disrupted in Bangladesh.
- The country is unable to import critical goods from India.
- Dhaka’s US Dollar reserves are affected due to inflation.
- Movements of goods at the border are affected.
- Since Bangladesh heavily relies on garment exports, such factories should be protected from political turmoil.
- India exports diverse goods to Bangladesh while the latter allegedly exports specific goods to fulfill the SAFTA Agreement and tariffs. So, the economic crisis does not harm India as much as Bangladesh.
- The bilateral trade will be affected for a long time due to violence in Bangladesh.
Final Words
Violence in Bangladesh became fierce when the protestors declared non-cooperation with the government. The UN is closely analysing the situation and calling for peace. Fortunately, the country is allegedly getting helped, to some extent, by its neighbouring countries, India and Sri Lanka. However, there are multiple eligible candidates and the Bangladesh news updates who will take over Hasina’s position.
