Bangladesh is Burning! | What's Wrong? | Dhruv Rathee

Summary

Bangladesh is facing widespread student protests against the government's reservation system, which allocates 56% of public sector jobs based on criteria like freedom fighters' descendants. The situation has escalated into violence, leading to a military curfew, internet suspension, and accusations of the Prime Minister being a dictator. The protesters demand reform, questioning the constitutionality of reservations for future generations of freedom fighters.

Takeaways

• 🏫 Schools and colleges in Bangladesh have been shut down due to widespread protests.
• 📵 The government of Bangladesh has suspended mobile internet services to control the situation.
• 👩‍🏫👨‍🏫 Students initially protested peacefully but the situation escalated into violence, leading to a military curfew.
• 🔪 At least 150 people have been killed and thousands injured in the violent clashes between protesters and authorities.
• 📊 The protests are primarily against the reservation system, where 56% of public sector jobs are reserved for different sections of society.
• 🌐 The reservation system in Bangladesh is distinct from India's, focusing on descendants of freedom fighters rather than caste-based reservations.
• 🇧🇩 Bangladesh's history of discrimination and struggle for independence plays a significant role in the current reservation system.
• 🏆 The 30% reservation for descendants of freedom fighters has been a point of contention, especially after being extended to grandchildren.
• 🏛️ The High Court's decision to reinstate the quota system in 2024 sparked renewed protests, as students argue it is unconstitutional.
• 🌐 Allegations of corruption and favoritism in the reservation system have further fueled public discontent.
• 💼 Unemployment is a significant underlying issue in Bangladesh, with a large number of graduates competing for a limited number of jobs.

Q & A

Why have schools and colleges in Bangladesh been shut down?

Schools and colleges in Bangladesh have been shut down due to the violent protests that have erupted across the country, which have led to a military curfew being declared.

Why has the government of Bangladesh suspended mobile internet services?

The government of Bangladesh suspended mobile internet services as a measure to control the spread of information and communication among protestors during the violent clashes.

What is the primary reason behind the protests in Bangladesh?

The primary reason behind the protests is the reservation or quota system implemented by the government, which reserves 56% of jobs in the public sector for different sections of society, leaving only 44% of jobs available based on merit.

How does the quota system in Bangladesh differ from that in India?

The quota system in Bangladesh is different from India's as it is not primarily based on caste but on the descendants of freedom fighters, who fought for Bangladesh's independence.

What historical context is relevant to understanding the quota system for freedom fighters in Bangladesh?

The historical context includes Bangladesh's struggle for independence from Pakistan, where freedom fighters played a crucial role. The quota system was initially created to honor these freedom fighters and was later extended to their descendants.

What percentage of jobs are reserved for the descendants of freedom fighters in Bangladesh's quota system?

In Bangladesh's quota system, 30% of jobs are reserved for the descendants of freedom fighters.

What was the outcome of the High Court's decision on the quota system in June 2024?

The High Court in June 2024 declared the government's circular to remove the quota system for first and second-class jobs illegal, thereby reintroducing the quota system, which led to the rekindling of protests across the country.

How has the government responded to the protests and allegations of corruption in the quota system?

The government has formed a Judicial Probe Committee to investigate incidents of violence and has approached the Supreme Court to appeal against the High Court's order. The Supreme Court imposed a stay on the High Court's order.

What is the role of the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC) in the context of the protests?

The BPSC is the organization responsible for conducting exams for civil service jobs in Bangladesh. The severe shortage of jobs and the quota system have made the competition extremely intense, leading to student protests.

What are the broader economic challenges facing Bangladesh that might be contributing to the unrest?

Bangladesh is facing high unemployment rates, with 30 million of the 110 million working-age population unemployed. The country also struggles with low foreign exchange reserves, high inflation rates, and economic instability, which exacerbate the discontent among the youth.