Student protests in Bangladesh over a controversial quota system have led to violence and prompted the evacuation of around 1000 Indian students. The unrest began when students protested against a quota system that reserved 30% of government jobs for the relatives of veterans from the 1971 war of independence. They argued that this system unfairly limited job opportunities for the general public and created a generational advantage.
What started as peaceful demonstrations soon escalated into violent clashes with police. The violence resulted in numerous injuries and fatalities, with dozens reported dead and thousands wounded. In response, the Bangladeshi government imposed curfews and restricted internet access to control the situation.
The Supreme Court of Bangladesh intervened and partially addressed the students’ concerns by reducing the percentage of jobs reserved under the quota system. This decision helped to ease some tensions, though many students continue to demand further reforms to ensure a fairer job selection process.
As the situation starts to stabilize with curfews lifted and internet access restored, the Indian government has acted swiftly to ensure the safety of its citizens studying in Bangladesh. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) coordinated the evacuation of about 1000 students, working closely with local authorities and Indian missions in Bangladesh. Thankfully, there have been no major reports of injuries or disruptions during the repatriation efforts.