Displaying items by tag: student protests

At least 150 people have died in clashes between student protesters and authorities in Bangladesh, amid violent demonstrations against the government's job quota system. Students at universities and colleges claim they were "brutally attacked" while innocent bystanders were killed. The unrest began over government job quotas that reserve 30% of jobs for relatives of veterans from Bangladesh's 1971 independence war. The violence escalated as the military was deployed to control the situation, leading to a communication blackout and curfew. Despite a recent court order to reduce the veterans' quota to 5%, tensions remain high. Students accuse the government-backed Chhatra League of attacking and injuring protesters. Some claim the media is downplaying the severity of the situation. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has blamed the opposition for inciting violence, while protesters demand government accountability and the resignation of university leaders. Bangladeshi students abroad, including in Australia, are organizing protests to draw attention to the violence. They criticize the quota system for limiting job opportunities and express solidarity with their peers in Bangladesh. The government is expected to comply with the court's ruling to reduce the quota.