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Violent protests in Bangladesh continue unabated. During this month, thousands of students decided to hit the streets against the 30 percent quota for the children of ‘freedom fighters’ in government jobs. A high court had restored the quota that was abolished in 2018. When the government approached the Supreme Court, it stayed the quota restoration on July 13.
Yesterday, the Supreme Court held a hearing once again and gave a ruling to reassure the students that the quota will not be restored, but despite this, student protests are continuing across the country. A group of students says that the protest will not end until the government issues an order approving the demands. During the 10-day protest, more than 150 people, including students, have died in Bangladesh. 500 students have been arrested. Cell phone and internet service is down.
Efforts are being made to learn more about the factors behind this movement. Media outlets around the world are busy trying to find out who is backing the student movement.
In Bangladesh, the opposition parties have taken full advantage of the ‘Bali Ke Bhagaon Chinka Tota’ student movement and started supporting it to weaken the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid.
Relations with India have deepened under Sheikh Hasina Wajid’s government, which the majority of Bangladeshis are unhappy about. Sheikh Hasina’s policy of bowing to India in every matter has filled the hearts of common Bangladeshis with deep hatred. Instead of finding a solution to the economic problems, the focus has been on suppressing the voices raised against inflation, unemployment, corruption and bankruptcy for a decade.
Sheikh Hasina Wajid did not pay enough attention to improving relations with the Muslim world, especially Pakistan. Thousands of Bangladeshi families are divided, meaning their people also live in Pakistan. Thousands of these families are also facing difficulties due to strained relations with Pakistan. Like Afghanistan, an atmosphere of intense hatred against Pakistan has been created in Bangladesh.