Bangladesh Universities Shut Down as Students Protest Over Job Quotas

Schools and universities across Bangladesh have been closed indefinitely following violent clashes and protests over job quotas in government positions. The unrest, primarily led by university students, opposes the existing system which reserves a significant portion of public sector jobs for specific groups, including the children of war heroes from the 1971 independence war against Pakistan.

Amidst the demonstrations, fatalities have been reported in various cities including the capital Dhaka, Chattogram, and Rangpur. Participants in the protests argue that the current quota system is discriminatory and are demanding a merit-based recruitment approach instead.

The ruling Awami League, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has been implicated in the violence, with clashes erupting between student groups supporting and opposing the quota system. The government attributes the unrest to opposition parties such as Jamaat-e-Islami and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, has called for the protection of demonstrators in light of the confrontations. While the government has implemented heightened security measures in key cities, the student-led protests persist as they await a court decision on the matter.