[🇧🇩] In Bangladesh, A Violent 'Student Revolution' is on بنگلہ دیش میں انقلاب

[Saif]

Remarks of prime minister that are unbecoming, unacceptable

THE prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s remarks of July 14 at the press conference on the outcome of her visits to India and China about the ongoing movement for quota reforms in the recruitment of public servants and the movement of teachers of 35 public universities demanding the cancellation of...

www.newagebd.net

Remarks of prime minister that are unbecoming, unacceptable
16 July, 2024, 00:00

THE prime minister Sheikh Hasina's remarks of July 14 at the press conference on the outcome of her visits to India and China about the ongoing movement for quota reforms in the recruitment of public servants and the movement of teachers of 35 public universities demanding the cancellation of the universal pension scheme Pratyay for them are provocative and illegal and, therefore, unacceptable. Referring to quota for the grandchildren of freedom fighters, she has asked whether the grandchildren of razakars — the term that is used to mean the people who collaborated with the killer Pakistani junta during the liberation war in 1971 — would get public service jobs instead. By implication, she has referred to the protesters and the sections in society that sympathise with or support the movement as razakars. This is unacceptable. She has said that the executive has nothing to do with reforms in the quota system and the issue would be resolved in court. But the High Court in its full verdict on July 14 said that the government could frame rules and guidelines to ensure the participation of backward sections of the citizens in public service recruitment as it did in the short verdict on July 11, stating that the government is at liberty to change, reduce or increase the ratio or percentage of quota.

The prime minister's remark about the teachers of public universities now on work abstention demanding their exclusion from the universal pension scheme also appears unbecoming. Noting that the teachers are confused about the pension scheme, which she had already notified the teachers about, the prime minister has said that she would say something after the teachers felt tired of continuing with the movement. If the demand is legitimate, why would the teachers need to wait for a decision until they felt tired of the movement? The remark is insensitive and demeaning for the teachers. This is, therefore, again unacceptable. The prime minister has also said that the criticism of her visits to India and China is reflective of 'mental illness' of the critics. This constitutes intolerance of genuine criticism. The plan to allow India to transport goods from West Bengal to Assam through Bangladesh is nothing short of granting a corridor, which many believe might create national security problems for Bangladesh, in the name of connectivity or transit. Criticism about the proposition is, rather, genuine patriotic concern on part of thinking Bangladeshis. The prime minister's terming such concern to have resulted from mental illness is, therefore, unacceptable again. The prime minister's visit to China appears to have been unsuccessful as Beijing has agreed to grant $137 million in economic aid, included in the $2 billion in grants and loans all, against government expectations of $5 billion. The criticism of the tours is, therefore, non unjustified.

Finally, talking about measures against corruption, the prime minister at the press conference has publicly admitted that an attendant at her house made a fortune of Tk 4 billion and he travelled by helicopter. She has seized his card and other documents when she came to know of the matter. While the incident is a clear example of the abuse of power in making illegal wealth, his dismissal from the job is nothing short of letting him get off scot-free. This is no example of zero tolerance for corruption. There should have, rather, been a criminal investigation against him for corruption.

While the government is, therefore, expected to resolve the legitimate issues of quota protesters and public university teachers with no further delay, it must also not give a corridor to India for goods transport through Bangladesh and show the will to end corruption with an iron fist.​

 

[Saif]

Protesters drive out female BCL leaders from DU Ruqayyah Hall

Agitating students of Begum Ruqayyah Hall of Dhaka University have surrounded the room of female leaders of Chhatra League and allegedly beat them up

www.thedailystar.net

Protesters drive out female BCL leaders from DU Ruqayyah Hall

Photos: Star
Agitating students of Begum Ruqayyah Hall of Dhaka University have surrounded the room of female leaders of Chhatra League and allegedly beat them up.

The incident took place around 11:00pm last night, reports our DU correspondent.

On the condition of anonymity, a student of Ruqayyah Hall told The Daily Star that 11 BCL leaders were chased, beaten, and driven out of the hall.

They ran and took refuge in the provost's bungalow.

Around 12:00am, an ambulance ferried them from the premises.

Dhaka University Professor Dr M Maksudur Rahman said, "Eleven students were evacuated from Ruqqayah Hall by ambulance."

However, Dhaka Medical College Hospital sources said none of the students were brought to the DMCH.

Contacted, Ruqayyah Hall Provost Nilufar Parvin said, "I won't comment at the moment." Saying this, he hung up the phone.

In a video sent by a student from Ruqayyah Hall, it was seen that the general students drove out Hall BCL President Pritha and Secretary Atika out of the halls.​

 

[Saif]

Govt is totally mishandling the quota issue

We condemn the violent attacks on students

www.thedailystar.net

Govt is totally mishandling the quota issue
We condemn the violent attacks on students

VISUAL: STAR

We are alarmed by the flaring up of violence in various universities, especially Dhaka University, following nationwide protests demanding quota reforms in government jobs. The prime minister, in a press conference on Sunday, had said that as long as the protesters remained peaceful, they could continue their demonstration. But then, in clear contrast to her statement and quite shockingly, if we may add, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said that Chhatra League would give the student protesters "a fitting response", which was a clear call for violence, examples of which we have seen before.

Initially, the government handled the protests with relative maturity. However, in recent days, we heard several government ministers indicating that it was preparing to handle the protests with a much heavier hand. Following the prime minister's press conference, hundreds of university students came out at night to protest what they said was a "disparaging comment" aimed at them. And as they continued their protests during the day, Chhatra League activists swooped upon them, beating the protesters indiscriminately with iron rods, sticks, and other weapons, leaving nearly 100 students injured. We strongly condemn such violence. The question naturally arises as to why the AL secretary general would want to quash citizens' grievances instead of resolving them through a constructive dialogue, or why he would call up Chhatra League to deal with a law enforcement issue, and not the police.

The quota issue is a complex matter—with quotas existing in many countries to help underprivileged groups. But what started off as that has been labelled as a matter between "pro-liberation" vs "anti-liberation" forces—which is unfortunate and completely unnecessary. It is a perfect case of an important issue being totally mishandled. Here, it is important to mention that the government could have avoided the recent developments by listening to the legitimate demands to reform the quota system back in 2018, instead of doing away with all quotas, as it did. Back then, the government failed to recognise the genuine concerns of the young people, and that is what has brought us to this debacle now. What's equally unfortunate is that similar to the time of the 2018 movement, Chhatra League has once again been used to unleash merciless beatings on students, whose concerns are being thrown out the window with disdain.

It is essential for the government to not repeat the same mistakes it had made during the 2018 quota movement. The High Court, in a portion of its judgement on the quota system, said that the government can change, reduce or increase the ratio or percentage of the quotas in public jobs if it feels it necessary to do so. As such, it should immediately sit with the protesters and, by involving experts and other stakeholders, reform the quota system in a way that is acceptable to all and in line with the purpose of giving quotas. Moreover, the ruling party must reign in BCL activists, instead of using them as a mercenary force against the students.​

 

[Saif]

A slogan lost in translation

What made them flood campus streets on Sunday night was a specific comment that touched a nerve for the wider student community.

www.thedailystar.net

A slogan lost in translation

What made students flood the streets on Sunday night was a specific comment that touched a nerve. Photo: Anisur Rahman

The course of the ongoing quota reform protests has taken a drastic turn over the last two days. On Tuesday, at least six individuals, mostly students, died during clashes between protesters and members of Bangladesh Chhatra League and the police—marking a further escalation from the previous day's events. Few would have imagined this scenario when students gathered in Dhaka University and other campuses on Sunday night.

For over two weeks prior to this, they had been boycotting classes and exams, and blockading key intersections in Dhaka and major highways in different places of the country with the demand to reform the quota system in civil service recruitment. But what made them flood campus streets on that night was a specific comment that touched a nerve for the wider student community. On Sunday, in response to a journalist's question during a press conference, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, "Why do they [anti-quota 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?"

This questionable dichotomy is what lit the fuse, leading to students exploding in protest with renewed vigour. And among all the slogans heard across the DU campus that night, the one that seems to have had the most intense impact is the one that goes: "Tui ke? Ami ke? Razakar, Razakar!" (Who are you? Who am I? Razakar, Razakar!) There have been other, more explanatory variations of the slogan, but for whatever reason, those didn't get much coverage. The question is, what made these students—otherwise proud citizens of an independent Bangladesh, and carrying the legacy of our independence struggle—utter such incendiary slogans?

Grievances over the preferential quota system are nothing new; in fact, the way the protests have panned out this time are starkly reminiscent of what happened during the 2018 quota reform movement. Protests began at Shahbagh then as they did now, before spreading across the country. In 2018, like this time around, a senior member of the ruling party remarked in parliament, "Will the children and successors of those who risked their lives to fight for independence not get an opportunity? Will the children of Razakars get the chance? Will the quota for the freedom fighters be shrunk for them?"

Six years ago, students protested this particular line of reasoning—as they did on Sunday night. And the reaction to it on both occasions was nothing short of extraordinary. That said, it is totally unfortunate that in a movement that concerns the wellbeing of general students in modern-day Bangladesh, the word "Razakar" has occupied so much of the conversation. On principle, we must say we are against any identification—however unintended—with this term. Students, having been familiarised with the history of our nation from a young age, should have known better than to use something that only invokes the hateful memories of the atrocities committed by Razakars in 1971.

But students say the slogan was lost in translation. Their use of the term, they say, was sarcastic and heavy with context. Take away that context, and you have a totally different connotation. And this is what is happening at the moment. Unfortunately, despite the clarification from students, there has been little hint of reciprocation from those protesting the use of the word Razakar. Clearly, a mismatch exists between the protesting students and the powers that be. But what was stopping Bangladesh Chhatra League, a student party made up of students, from trying to understand the feelings of pain and anguish that led to such utterances? Why, instead of trying to impress upon them the inappropriateness of their slogan or supporting their just cause for quota reforms, did Chhatra League unleash violence on them?

After Sunday night, we have seen the ministers of road transport and bridges, education, and social welfare, and state ministers for ICT and information all come out with hardened words against the protesters. None of them seemed to have noticed that the protesters themselves offered further explanation of their mood by chanting, "Chaite gelam odhikar, hoye gelam Razakar." (Demanded rights, only to become Razakar.) Instead of trying to engage with the students and bridge any gap in communication, the Awami League general secretary has instead called on BCL to provide a "fitting reply".

We have seen the destructive nature of that reply over the past two days. Such violence and brutal attacks over a naive use of an objectionable slogan are hard to accept. We must remember that these students would never support anti-liberation ideals. Attempts could have been made to clear any confusion through amicable means. That would have been a much wiser way to deal with these realities instead of the violence that has ensued since.​

 

[Saif]

US monitoring student protests in Bangladesh; condemns violence against peaceful protesters

The US said yesterday that it was monitoring reports of widespread student protests and attacks on students in Dhaka and across Bangladesh

www.thedailystar.net

US monitoring student protests in Bangladesh; condemns violence against peaceful protesters

The US said yesterday that it was monitoring reports of widespread student protests and attacks on students in Dhaka and across Bangladesh.

During a press briefing at the State Department in Washington, Spokesperson Matthew Miller was asked about thousands of students demanding reforms to the quota system in government job and the ensuing attack yesterday by Chhatra League that left "around 500 students" injured.

"So, we are aware of and are monitoring reports of widespread student protests in Dhaka and around Bangladesh that have killed two and attacked and injured hundreds," Miller said.

However, there have so far been no reports of anyone being killed in the violence.

"The freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are essential building blocks of any thriving democracy, and we condemn any violence against peaceful protesters. Our thoughts are with those who have been impacted by this violence."

The foreign ministry this morning released a press note informing of a briefing at the ministry at 1:00pm today to respond to the US State Department's comments on the government job quota issue.​

 

[Saif]

Will the "liberation war spirit" be upheld by assaulting students?

Incumbent government that ostensibly upholds the spirit of the liberation war must take blame for the hatred that has emerged in the mind of young students

en.prothomalo.com

Will the "liberation war spirit" be upheld by assaulting students?
Who is responsible for crushing the spirit of the youth of today with blatant discrimination, driving them to label themselves "razakar"? Who is responsible for generating an adverse reaction to the "liberation war and the liberation war spirit", for creating divisions? Was it necessary to make these youth opponents?
Nadim Mahmud
Updated: 17 Jul 2024, 09: 46

Bangladesh Chhatra League activists attacking protesters of the quota movement. Monday at Dhaka UniversityProthom Alo

The main focus of a student upon joining university is studies, preparing to be a citizen of the world. But in our country the students leave their classes to take to the streets, sometimes rallying for an extension of the age to join public service, or sometimes demonstrating for reforms of the quota system for government jobs. They end up covered in blood, wounded physically and mentally.

In recent times Bangladesh's "general students" had been carrying out a peaceful movement in demand of reforms in the quota system for government jobs. But that has now turned into bloodshed. The students and teachers of various universities around the country have been assaulted and beaten up in the deep of night. Many of them have been injured and hospitalized.
No matter who takes responsibility for the fact that the state of our higher education remains the same even 53 years after the country's independence, the incumbent government that ostensibly upholds the spirit of the liberation war must take blame for the hatred that has emerged in the mind of these young ones.

Though the "strategy" is nothing new for "demands" to be met through bloodshed and violence, this is a time when our students should be thinking about the country, about preparing themselves for the emerging global order. Instead our students are having to take to the streets. This is a matter of anguish. The minds of the younger generation are being poisoned. But why should things be like this? Why should our girls and boys have to rally on the streets time and again?

Three and half hundred members of parliament have taken on responsibility as lawmakers. But they never speak of the suffering and angst of our younger generation in parliament. They never raise the demand there for an ideal and pragmatic policy regarding our job system
Election controversies aside, in constitutional continuity there is a "parliament" functioning in the country. Three and half hundred members of parliament have taken on responsibility as lawmakers. But they never speak of the suffering and angst of our younger generation in parliament. They never raise the demand there for an ideal and pragmatic policy regarding our job system. Not one of our members of parliament has stood up in the House on behalf of the students to voice their grievances, to draw the government into the issue.

So what should the discussions be in this parliament running on taxpayers' money?

Three attackers open fire on the agitating students. Monday, Dhaka UniversitySazid Hossain

As things stand, no justified demand is fulfilled without any movement or struggle. That is why one looks to the head of government for the demands to be met. That happened this time too.

Six years ago, at the cost of their studies, the students had demonstrated and their demands were met. Why has that demand been rendered void, forcing the students to take to the streets again? The students hadn't wanted abolition of the quota system, they had wanted reforms. The quota had been revoked upon executive order of the head of government. A case was filed in court against the order and now the complications reared up once again.

So who is responsible for crushing the spirit of the youth of today with blatant discrimination, driving them to label themselves "razakar"?

Truth be told, there hardly is anyone who denies the need for reforms in the quota system. The policymakers should be planning and thinking of how to bring this about. We must keep in mind that a large section of those of the ruling party in the 2008 election were youth. Those young people were inspired by the spirit of the liberation war. In 2013 they demanded that the razakars and Al-Badr be hanged. Those youth of back then are now in different in various responsible positions. They should have been taking the spirit of the liberation war ahead.

Girl students being attacked.Dipu Malakar
So who is responsible for crushing the spirit of the youth of today with blatant discrimination, driving them to label themselves "razakar"? Who is responsible for generating an adverse reaction to the "liberation war and the liberation war spirit", for creating divisions? Was it necessary to make these youth opponents?

It must be kept in mind that today the thousands of boys and girls have taken to the streets basically to resolve the issue of unemployment.

They have successfully created a unity to eliminate discrimination in government jobs. Our ruling class must acknowledge this. The government should have the capacity to understand the mental state of these students.

They should have the consideration not to view the students as opponents akin to the political opposition.

Chhatra League assaulting girl students. Monday at Dhaka UniversityProthom Alo

If the government takes it upon them to boost the "anti liberation war" quarters because of this change in the generation, then we must realise that they have failed to spread the dream of our great independence among the youth. We must understand the difference between national divide and ideological divide.

If those in power think that they can strengthen the "pro-liberation forces" by rehabilitating the grandchildren of the freedom fighters to honour them, then the students who have been admitted on the freedom fighter quota would not join the movement for quota reforms in government jobs.

The government must realise that they cannot bolster the spirit of the liberation war by beating up the general students. Instead they should realise the need for quota reforms to ensure equal rights in public service on the basis of qualifications (merit is not quite the word).

Make a commission for quota reforms, discuss the matter. Use your brains to assess the quota reforms that are required, ensuring the inclusion of the backward communities and women.

It must be kept in mind this use of force that is creating harm, is simply serving to strengthen the anti-independence forces. The decision lies with you, do you want bloodshed to poison the mind of the youth, or do you really want them to uphold the spirit of the liberation war and Bangladesh in their minds and hearts?

* Dr Nadim Mahmud is a researcher at California University.​

 

[Hendrix02]

Hello Everyone, Bangladesh university students unite in protest against the Supreme Court's decision on Freedom Fighter employment quotas imposed by the ruling Awami League. The move sparks widespread concern and mobilization, reflecting deep-seated issues of fairness and transparency in government policies affecting youth and national history.

 

[Saif]

Situation still tense at Shanir Akhra

Protesters, cops hold positions after hours of clashes; one feared dead; six wounded by shotgun pellets; Hanif Flyover toll plaza, police box set on fire

www.thedailystar.net

Situation still tense at Shanir Akhra
Protesters, cops hold positions after hours of clashes; one feared dead; six wounded by shotgun pellets; Hanif Flyover toll plaza, police box set on fire

Photo: Collected

Situation remains tense in the Shanir Akhra area after hours of intense clashes between law enforcers and protesters.
Protesters were present at the area even after midnight, reports our correspondent. A large number of law enforcers were also present.

The protesters set fire at multiple spots. Vehicular movement on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway remains suspended.

The clashes left scores injured. Of them, at least seven, including six with pellet wounds, took treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Many others sought treatment at local medical centres, according to our correspondent.

Meanwhile, according to media reports one person was shot dead during the clashes. However, The Daily Star could not confirm it.

Photo: Collected

The clashes started around 3:00pm yesterday when protesting students brought out a procession on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, protesting the police attacks on students in the last two days.

Witnesses said as the police tried to disperse them, protesters threw brickbats at them, prompting law enforcers to fire tear gas shells, sound grenades and shotgun pellets.

This continued for a while.

Photo: Star

The police action eventually forced many of the protesters to take shelter in alleys in the nearby residential areas, resulting in a series of chases and counter-chases between the two groups.

Till the filing of this report, the clashes were raging on.

According to witnesses, police fired hundreds of rounds of tear gas shells, sound grenades and shotgun pellets at the protesters to control the situation.

They also said many locals joined the protesters while a large number of people affiliated with the ruling party were seen taking the side of cops during the clashes.

By 7:00pm, the entire area from Jatrabari Police Station to Kajla turned into a battlefield. Several vehicles were vandalised.

Around 8:00pm, a toll plaza of Hanif Flyover and an adjacent police box were set alight.

Protesters also set fire to tyres at several points.

Shahin Alam, senior station officer of Postogola Police Station, told The Daily Star that two fire engines rushed to the spot but could not reach there due to the clashes.

The fire died down only after it burnt the plaza into ashes, he said.

Vehicular movement on the flyover remains halted.

Around midnight, some vehicles, which were seized by police over time, kept in front of the Jatrabari Police Station were set on fire.

7 WOUNDED

With smoke and loud noise engulfing the area, two-year-old Rohit Mia started crying inside his home. To calm him, his father, Babu Mia, took him in his arms and went downstairs.

He stood inside the collapsible gate and tried to understand what was happening.

Suddenly, pellets hit him and Rohit.

They were rushed to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital in the evening.

Rohit's mother, who brought them to the hospital with the help of locals, said, "They were inside the collapsible gate of the house. Suddenly, they were hit by shotgun pellets, fired to disperse the protesters."

As of filing this report around 2:30am, Rohit is out of danger.

They were among the seven people who were brought to DMCH. Six of them had pellet wounds. The rest four are protesting students.

One of the injured, Faisal was brought to DMCH with multiple pellet injuries.

His condition is critical, said doctors at the hospital.

DMCH sources said Pias, a student of class VIII, and Monirul, a cloth trader, have been admitted to the hospital.

When this correspondent was at DMCH, he saw a teenager brought to the hospital in a critical condition from Jatrabari on a CNG-run-auto rickshaw early today.

Identified as Siam, 18, the unconscious teenager had pellet-like injury marks in his neck, said Bacchu Miah, inspector of police outpost at DMCH.

However, seeing police and a crowd at the hospital, those who brought Siam there, carried him back into the auto-rickshaw and drove away, he added.

Several media, however, reported that Siam had died.​

 

[Saif]

Quota protests: How the day unfolded

Quota protesters continued their demonstrations Wednesday amid violent clashes with law enforcers across the country

www.thedailystar.net

Quota protests: How the day unfolded

The photo was taken from Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah Hal of Dhaka University today ( July 17, 2024). Photo: Amran Hossain/Star

Quota protesters continued their demonstrations Wednesday amid violent clashes with law enforcers across the country. They have announced a nationwide "complete shutdown" today. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addressed the nation last evening urging protesters to keep faith in the judicial system and announced a judicial probe into the deaths that took place on Tuesday.

Here is a recap of what happened today:

PM addresses the nation

Photo: Screengrab

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged the protesting students to keep faith in the country's judicial system, expressing hope that they would not be disappointed. She also announced a judicial probe into killings and urged students to wait for the apex court's verdict. The PM expressed deep shock over the loss of lives and promised help to the victim's relatives. She urged the students to remain alert so that infiltrators cannot create anarchy by taking shelter among the protesters.

'Complete shutdown' announced

Photo: Amran Hossain

The protesting students today announced that they will enforce a "complete shutdown" tomorrow across the country, protesting the law enforcers' action on them on different campuses. According to the announcement, no establishments, apart from the hospitals and emergency services, will be allowed to open, and no vehicles, except ambulances, will be allowed to operate. They urged students from all educational institutions to join the protest. They also urged the guardians to stand by them.

DU students vacate halls after clashes

Photo: Amran Hossain

Quota reform protesters left the Dhaka University campus this evening following clashes with police. Only a handful of protesters remained in the halls. Earlier, sporadic clashes took place between them and law enforcers, mainly police, for over two hours after 4:00pm. At least 15 students were injured during the clashes as police fired rubber bullets, and lobbed tear gas shells and sound grenades at the quota protesters on the Dhaka University campus. Around midnight, ruling party activists were seen guarding the entry points of the campus along with law enforcers.

Fear of crackdown at JU

Photo: Star

Electricity supply was cut off at Jahangirnagar University halls last night spreading fear of a crackdown among students. The electricity went off around 10:30pm. Around midnight, a large number of law enforcers were posted outside the main entrance of the university equipped with armoured vehicles Earlier, at least 100 protesters were injured in clashes between police and students at JU last evening. Most of the injuries were caused by shotgun pellets.

Clashes rock Shanir Akhra

Photo: Collected

Capital's Shanir Akhra area turned into a warzone yesterday with police and protesters engaging in chase and counter chase for hours since the afternoon. The toll plaza of Hanif Flyover and a police box were set alight as locals joined the protesters. Besides, multiple motorcycles were vandalised. Loud bangs and smoke engulfed the area triggering panic among the residents. At least seven were injured including 6 shotgun pellet-hit ones.

BNP backs 'complete shutdown'

Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. File photo

BNP yesterday extended its full support to today's "complete shutdown" called by the quota protesters. Party's senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced this at a virtual press briefing in the evening. He said the decision was taken at a meeting of BNP's National Standing Committee. Rizvi urged BNP leaders and activists across the country to cooperate with the students.

DUET allows students to stay in halls

Photo: Star

The administration of Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) has decided to allow students who couldn't' vacate the residential halls for various reasons to stay there. However, no one will be allowed to go out or enter the campus without identity cards.

Police rescue confined RU VC

Around 7:30pm last night, police rescued RU Vice-Chancellor Prof Golam Sabbir Sattar from the administrative building, dispersing the agitating students. He had been confined to the administration building since 3:00pm. Students locked the administration building as the VC failed to address the protesting students' five-point demand when he met them outside the building.

University teachers pledge solidarity with students

Expressing solidarity with the students demanding quota reform in government jobs, university teachers held a protest rally on the Dhaka University campus this noon. They pledged to stand by the students no matter how bad the situation became and demanded the release of the two detained students who were arrested earlier in the day. Under the banner of the University Teachers Network Against Repression, a platform comprising public university teachers, they held the protest rally at Aparajeyo Bangla.

DB seals off BNP headquarters

Law enforcers have sealed the BNP central office in the capital's Nayapaltan following the midnight raid by the detective branch (DB) of police. Since the raid, the area has been under heavy security. Police personnel have cordoned off the office while the main entrance has been sealed with yellow tape, restricting access.

UN urges govt to ensure students' safety

The United Nations has urged the Bangladesh government to ensure the safety of students participating in the quota reform movement. During a daily press briefing yesterday, Spokesman for the Secretary-General Stéphane Dujarric expressed deep concern over the situation.

All govt primary schools closed indefinitely

All government primary schools, Child Welfare Trust-run primary schools, and Bureau of Non-Formal Education learning centres in the City Corporation areas of the eight divisional cities have been closed indefinitely. The decision was communicated through a Ministry of Primary and Mass Education press release yesterday.​

 

[Saif]

Quota reform resurgence: Stop violence against students

The government is complicating and antagonising a solvable proposition by ordinary citizens

www.thedailystar.net

Quota reform resurgence: Stop violence against students
As students bleed, the nation does too

VISUAL: SHAIKH SULTANA JAHAN BADHON

The quota reform protest started in 2018 but was abruptly dissolved through harsh and cunning methods. Now, it has resurfaced due to the indecisiveness of the government. The movement has been joined by numerous students across the country both from private and public universities, indicating that the protest is close to people's hearts, and they find the demands logical.

In the past couple of years, no other protest has been able to mobilise so many students. The reason behind such huge participation is that many students go through the bitter experience of not finding the jobs they deserve, after completing their education. In addition, rampant corruption and irregularities in government job recruitment exams and selection processes have created immense frustration and anger among graduates and students.

Actually, this young generation has become victims of jobless growth and plunder in the process of development! The country's economy shows growth, but jobs are not being created. Meanwhile, there are hundreds of thousands of job vacancies in the public sector particularly in the education (schools, colleges, universities) and health sectors such as hospitals. The total uncertainty in getting jobs as well as the absence of a development plan that will create employment opportunities created frustration and anger among students. As a result, many students are trying to leave the country. Those who cannot go abroad, or do not want to leave the country l, are particularly affected by the negative prospects of finding a proper job. They are the primary participants of the movement.

Currently, BCS is the most secure and sought-after job opportunity in the country. However, due to the current quota structure in the BCS exam, a significant portion of students feel deprived. They believe that talent and intelligence are not being properly valued.

Because of issues like quota structure, question leaks, favouritism in appointments, and corruption, many job opportunities are being lost unethically and illegally. To resolve these issues, and prevent them from recurring, students are joining the protests, hoping to create a collective voice to challenge this scenario to some extent.

In response, the government has not shown a sensitive or logical reaction. When the protests were ongoing in 2018, the government completely removed the quotas, which was not what the protesters demanded. The demand was for quota reform, to bring it to a logical and acceptable structure. The fact that over 50 percent of jobs were being allocated based on quotas was not acceptable. The complete removal of quotas harmed those who actually needed them, such as minority groups and differently-abled individuals.

Understandably the government's decision to remove quotas altogether has been deemed illegal by the high court, sparking the current protest. The movement has spread from Dhaka to all divisions in the country, drawing participation from university and college students of various institutions. The students' demand is for the government to take necessary action to reform the quotas.

The government's stance is that the matter is now a legal proceeding in the courts, and therefore, it cannot play a role, as stated by the Prime Minister recently. However, the full ruling of the High Court in this regard stated that if the government wants, it can bring changes to the quota system. Thus, the claim that the government has no role to play is misinformation.

If the government had decided to form a committee to understand what the students want, find the logic behind their demands, ensure that those who need the quotas are protected, and figure out how reform could be brought about, there would not have been any issues. The students had a simple demand: for the government to listen to them based on an educated demand for necessary change. Instead, the government took a hostile route, spreading unnecessary negative remarks about the protesters and provoking them with wordplay. Even the Prime Minister's comments were derogatory and provocative against them.

After that, the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) started attacking the protesters violently day and night. The police charged at protesters with batons and tear gas. The BCL even attacked students seeking medical help at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Six people have already been killed. This demonstrates the government's autocratic and rigid mentality about public demand to solve a national problem. This is a sad and unacceptable situation.

Our experience shows that every time citizens raise their voices to demand their rights or to protest any wrongdoings, whether they are teachers from schools, colleges, universities, labour groups, or students, the government responds with rigidity and violence. It spreads misinformation and makes unnecessary provocation, and if none of this works, it unleashes the police or ruling party hooligans to disperse the movements. This has been happening for years. Even teenage students, who demanded safe roads, were not spared!

The government's mentality and approach send the message that ordinary citizens do not have the right to protest or the right to voice their needs. The government can do whatever it pleases, and it must be accepted by everyone. Anyone who tries to take any different position will face heavy consequences. To sustain this autocratic behaviour, the ruling party's student wing and police forces, funded by taxpayers' money, are used as weapons.

The government is complicating and antagonising a solvable proposition by ordinary citizens. The students are not trying to steal anything, deprive anyone of their rights, engage in corruption, or take away opportunities from others. Their only ask is that meritorious students get their deserved opportunity to succeed. When these students are attacked, bloodily injured, sent to hospitals, or killed for demanding that educational qualifications be valued, it is an attack on the whole country.

So as citizens, we are bleeding too. We therefore demand that the government stop attacks on students, change its stance, listen to the students' demands, and create an operational system to address the issues brought forward by the protesters.

Anu Muhammad is former professor of economics at Jahangirnagar University.​

 

[Saif]

A slogan lost in translation

What made them flood campus streets on Sunday night was a specific comment that touched a nerve for the wider student community.

www.thedailystar.net

A slogan lost in translation

What made students flood the streets on Sunday night was a specific comment that touched a nerve. Photo: Anisur Rahman

The course of the ongoing quota reform protests has taken a drastic turn over the last two days. On Tuesday, at least six individuals, mostly students, died during clashes between protesters and members of Bangladesh Chhatra League and the police—marking a further escalation from the previous day's events. Few would have imagined this scenario when students gathered in Dhaka University and other campuses on Sunday night.

For over two weeks prior to this, they had been boycotting classes and exams, and blockading key intersections in Dhaka and major highways in different places of the country with the demand to reform the quota system in civil service recruitment. But what made them flood campus streets on that night was a specific comment that touched a nerve for the wider student community. On Sunday, in response to a journalist's question during a press conference, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, "Why do they [anti-quota 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?"

This questionable dichotomy is what lit the fuse, leading to students exploding in protest with renewed vigour. And among all the slogans heard across the DU campus that night, the one that seems to have had the most intense impact is the one that goes: "Tui ke? Ami ke? Razakar, Razakar!" (Who are you? Who am I? Razakar, Razakar!) There have been other, more explanatory variations of the slogan, but for whatever reason, those didn't get much coverage. The question is, what made these students—otherwise proud citizens of an independent Bangladesh, and carrying the legacy of our independence struggle—utter such incendiary slogans?

Grievances over the preferential quota system are nothing new; in fact, the way the protests have panned out this time are starkly reminiscent of what happened during the 2018 quota reform movement. Protests began at Shahbagh then as they did now, before spreading across the country. In 2018, like this time around, a senior member of the ruling party remarked in parliament, "Will the children and successors of those who risked their lives to fight for independence not get an opportunity? Will the children of Razakars get the chance? Will the quota for the freedom fighters be shrunk for them?"

Six years ago, students protested this particular line of reasoning—as they did on Sunday night. And the reaction to it on both occasions was nothing short of extraordinary. That said, it is totally unfortunate that in a movement that concerns the wellbeing of general students in modern-day Bangladesh, the word "Razakar" has occupied so much of the conversation. On principle, we must say we are against any identification—however unintended—with this term. Students, having been familiarised with the history of our nation from a young age, should have known better than to use something that only invokes the hateful memories of the atrocities committed by Razakars in 1971.

But students say the slogan was lost in translation. Their use of the term, they say, was sarcastic and heavy with context. Take away that context, and you have a totally different connotation. And this is what is happening at the moment. Unfortunately, despite the clarification from students, there has been little hint of reciprocation from those protesting the use of the word Razakar. Clearly, a mismatch exists between the protesting students and the powers that be. But what was stopping Bangladesh Chhatra League, a student party made up of students, from trying to understand the feelings of pain and anguish that led to such utterances? Why, instead of trying to impress upon them the inappropriateness of their slogan or supporting their just cause for quota reforms, did Chhatra League unleash violence on them?

After Sunday night, we have seen the ministers of road transport and bridges, education, and social welfare, and state ministers for ICT and information all come out with hardened words against the protesters. None of them seemed to have noticed that the protesters themselves offered further explanation of their mood by chanting, "Chaite gelam odhikar, hoye gelam Razakar." (Demanded rights, only to become Razakar.) Instead of trying to engage with the students and bridge any gap in communication, the Awami League general secretary has instead called on BCL to provide a "fitting reply".

We have seen the destructive nature of that reply over the past two days. Such violence and brutal attacks over a naive use of an objectionable slogan are hard to accept. We must remember that these students would never support anti-liberation ideals. Attempts could have been made to clear any confusion through amicable means. That would have been a much wiser way to deal with these realities instead of the violence that has ensued since.

Azmin Azran is digital features coordinator at The Daily Star.​

 

[Old School]

• 32 official dead; exact number unknown
• All internet and communication with outside word shut down
• Bangladesh Central Bank site hacked

As there is no internet in BD now untill further notice , your regular poster is unable to post. Please keep this page updated @Bilal9

 

[Bilal9]

Situation still tense at Shanir Akhra

Protesters, cops hold positions after hours of clashes; one feared dead; six wounded by shotgun pellets; Hanif Flyover toll plaza, police box set on fire

www.thedailystar.net

Situation still tense at Shanir Akhra
Protesters, cops hold positions after hours of clashes; one feared dead; six wounded by shotgun pellets; Hanif Flyover toll plaza, police box set on fire

View attachment 6995
Photo: Collected

Situation remains tense in the Shanir Akhra area after hours of intense clashes between law enforcers and protesters.
Protesters were present at the area even after midnight, reports our correspondent. A large number of law enforcers were also present.

The protesters set fire at multiple spots. Vehicular movement on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway remains suspended.

The clashes left scores injured. Of them, at least seven, including six with pellet wounds, took treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Many others sought treatment at local medical centres, according to our correspondent.

Meanwhile, according to media reports one person was shot dead during the clashes. However, The Daily Star could not confirm it.

View attachment 6996
Photo: Collected

The clashes started around 3:00pm yesterday when protesting students brought out a procession on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, protesting the police attacks on students in the last two days.

Witnesses said as the police tried to disperse them, protesters threw brickbats at them, prompting law enforcers to fire tear gas shells, sound grenades and shotgun pellets.

This continued for a while.

View attachment 6997
Photo: Star

The police action eventually forced many of the protesters to take shelter in alleys in the nearby residential areas, resulting in a series of chases and counter-chases between the two groups.

Till the filing of this report, the clashes were raging on.

According to witnesses, police fired hundreds of rounds of tear gas shells, sound grenades and shotgun pellets at the protesters to control the situation.

They also said many locals joined the protesters while a large number of people affiliated with the ruling party were seen taking the side of cops during the clashes.

By 7:00pm, the entire area from Jatrabari Police Station to Kajla turned into a battlefield. Several vehicles were vandalised.

Around 8:00pm, a toll plaza of Hanif Flyover and an adjacent police box were set alight.

Protesters also set fire to tyres at several points.

Shahin Alam, senior station officer of Postogola Police Station, told The Daily Star that two fire engines rushed to the spot but could not reach there due to the clashes.

The fire died down only after it burnt the plaza into ashes, he said.

Vehicular movement on the flyover remains halted.

Around midnight, some vehicles, which were seized by police over time, kept in front of the Jatrabari Police Station were set on fire.

7 WOUNDED

With smoke and loud noise engulfing the area, two-year-old Rohit Mia started crying inside his home. To calm him, his father, Babu Mia, took him in his arms and went downstairs.

He stood inside the collapsible gate and tried to understand what was happening.

Suddenly, pellets hit him and Rohit.

They were rushed to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital in the evening.

Rohit's mother, who brought them to the hospital with the help of locals, said, "They were inside the collapsible gate of the house. Suddenly, they were hit by shotgun pellets, fired to disperse the protesters."

As of filing this report around 2:30am, Rohit is out of danger.

They were among the seven people who were brought to DMCH. Six of them had pellet wounds. The rest four are protesting students.

One of the injured, Faisal was brought to DMCH with multiple pellet injuries.

His condition is critical, said doctors at the hospital.

DMCH sources said Pias, a student of class VIII, and Monirul, a cloth trader, have been admitted to the hospital.

When this correspondent was at DMCH, he saw a teenager brought to the hospital in a critical condition from Jatrabari on a CNG-run-auto rickshaw early today.

Identified as Siam, 18, the unconscious teenager had pellet-like injury marks in his neck, said Bacchu Miah, inspector of police outpost at DMCH.

However, seeing police and a crowd at the hospital, those who brought Siam there, carried him back into the auto-rickshaw and drove away, he added.

Several media, however, reported that Siam had died.​

Wow - Shanir akhra turned into its namesake !!

But we should give these brave folks our moral support since they are protesting the policies of a regime led by someone with no moral compass...

 

[Old School]

Wow - Shanir akhra turned into its namesake !!

But we should give these brave folks our moral support since they are protesting the policies of a regime led by someone with no moral compass...

All posts are now merged into a new thread . Title chaged acordingly. Try to post videos like below rather than long articles as many people will be visiting here soon.

 

[Old School]

Try to post videos like above rather than long articles ( no one reads) as many people will be visiting here soon.