Protestors marching towards the President's house. Photo Credit: EFE
On July 16, 2024, violent clashes erupted on multiple university campuses, including the University of Dhaka, Jahangirnagar University, Rajshahi University, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, Chittagong University of Engineering, Khulna University, and all the other 37 medical colleges. As of 21:37 local time on July 16, 2024, six students have died, over 500 have been injured and more than 150 students are missing.
In Bangladesh, a significant student movement is unfolding against the current quota system in the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination. The existing quota system allocates 30% for the children and grandchildren of freedom fighters, 10% for women, 10% for disadvantaged districts, 5% for ethnic minorities, and 1% for people with disabilities. This quota system was canceled in 2018 following a major student protest, but in 2024, these changes were reversed, sparking renewed student activism. The students are now demanding a merit-based implementation of the BCS quotas for the government services jobs.
The death of five students has intensified the unrest. These fatalities have sparked outrage and despair among the student community and the nation at large. The brutal attacks, particularly those on female students, have drawn widespread condemnation. Women participating in the protests have been targeted, beaten, and severely injured by members of the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BLS - a student group aligned with the government), highlighting the government's oppressive tactics to silence dissent.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina mocked the protesters, labeling them as descendants of "Rajakars," a term referring to those who collaborated with the Pakistani military during the 1971 Liberation War. This derogatory remark deeply hurt the students, prompting slogans like "Who are we? Rajakars! Who said? The government!" These students, mostly apolitical, faced violent reprisals from the police and BSL).
A particularly brutal incident involved a teacher from Jahangirnagar University, Dr. Lutful-e Elahi who was severely injured while trying to protect students from BSL attackers. Reports indicate that the BSL, armed with weapons, is raiding student dormitories, while the police stand against the unarmed students. The deployment of the Border Guard of Bangladesh (BGB) to suppress the protests further exacerbates the situation.
The attacks on students are reportedly sanctioned by the education minister himself, leaving the students in a state of despair. They seek to protest peacefully for their rights but are met with relentless violence.
This movement highlights the broader issues of governmental oppression and the need for genuine democratic reforms in Bangladesh. Nahid Islam, national coordinator of the antiquota protests, said their “peaceful procession” was attacked by people carrying rods, sticks and rocks. “They beat our female protesters. At least 150 students were injured, including 30 women, and the conditions of 20 students are serious,” he said.
Endangered Scholars Worldwide (ESW) is deeply concerned with these violations of academic freedom perpetrated by the authorities in Bangladesh. We call upon all governmental authorities to refrain from punishing students for engaging in acts of democratic self-expression on campuses with violence and arrests. University campuses should remain spaces in which academic freedom can be fully enjoyed by all members. We further call upon the members of the international community dedicated to upholding human rights globally to echo our calls to respect the academic freedom of students in Bangladesh.
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