Bangladesh PM blames opposition for deadly unrest

Before Sunday’s court decision, Bangladesh reserved about 30% of its high-paying government jobs for children of those who fought in Bangladesh’s war for independence from Pakistan in 1971.

The court ruled that just 5% of the roles can be reserved for the veterans’ relatives.

Ms Hasina is the daughter of Bangladesh’s founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Her government abolished the reservation in 2018, following protests. But a court ordered the authorities to reinstate the quotas in June, triggered fresh unrest.

The protestes by mostly university students began about two weeks ago. They say the system unfairly benefits the children of pro-government groups and they have called for it to be replaced with merit-based recruitment.

Ms Hasina initially dismissed the protestors’ concerns, which analysts say exacerbated the unrest.

On 14 July, she continued to justify the quota system by reinforcing the divide between the descendants of pro-liberation and anti-liberation forces.

“Why do [the protesters] have so much resentment towards the freedom fighters? If the grandchildren of the freedom fighters don’t get quota benefits, should the grandchildren of Razakars get the benefit?” she said at a press conference.

The Razakars – a derogatory label in Bangladesh – refer to a paramilitary force made up of Bangladeshis who fought on the side of Pakistan during the 1971 war. The group is also accused of heinous crimes.

Ms Hasina’s comments galvanised even more protesters within hours. Thousands of students took to the streets of Dhaka that night protesting the prime minister’s comments.

Over the next few days, many more held rallies across the country. Numerous fires were lit across the country, including at the state broadcaster BTV.

About 500 people have also been arrested in the past two weeks, which saw authorities calling in the military and imposing a nationwide curfew.

The country’s mobile internet and text message services have been suspended for at least five days in an attempt to quell the protests.

Some student leaders have vowed to continue protesting to demand justice for protesters killed and detained in recent days, the resignations of government ministers and an apology from Ms Hasina.