Violence Erupts in Bangladesh Over Quota Dispute, Prompting Return of Over 300 Indian Students

The deteriorating conditions in Bangladesh, marked by extensive protests over several weeks, have compelled Indian students to urgently return home by any possible routes. On Friday alone, more than 300 students crossed border points in the northeast. The unrest, stemming from clashes between Bangladeshi students and security forces as well as pro-government groups, has resulted in over 100 fatalities. The protests have centered on the government’s decision to reinstate quotas in public sector employment.

The protests, which have been on for at least three weeks, escalated significantly on Monday, when violence broke out at Dhaka University. Six people were killed the next day, prompting the government to order the closure of universities across the country. 

Many of the students who returned were pursuing MBBS degrees and most of them were from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Meghalaya and Jammu and Kashmir. Two key routes used by the students to return on Friday were the international land port at Akhurah near Agartala in Tripura and the international land port at Dawki in Meghalaya. 

The students said they were waiting and watching but finally decided to temporarily leave Bangladesh after a near-total shutdown of the internet was put into effect on Thursday and telephone services were also severely impacted, effectively cutting them off from their families. 

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Unrest in Bangladesh Escalates Over Government Job Quota Controversy

At least 104 people have lost their lives and over 2,500 others have been injured in confrontations involving students, government supporters, and security forces. The unrest began recently following a court decision to reinstate a 30% quota in government jobs for relatives of freedom fighters and veterans from Bangladesh’s 1971 War of Independence.

Critics of the quota, which was temporarily suspended by the Bangladesh Supreme Court but is now contested by the government, argue that it primarily benefits the ruling Awami League party led by Sheikh Hasina, daughter of Bangladesh’s founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Ms. Hasina has faced accusations of using the quota to reward loyalists within her party, while protesters contend that it unfairly restricts their employment opportunities.

In response to protesters, Ms. Hasina appeared on television on Wednesday to address their concerns. The following day, demonstrators retaliated by setting fire to a building belonging to the state broadcaster, which had aired her speech.

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