More than 150 killed in Bangladesh protests | BBC News

Summary

Bangladesh is experiencing heightened tensions as students persist in protests following the Supreme Court's decision to abolish most government job quotas for war veterans' relatives. Over 150 people have been killed in a week of unrest. The government has acknowledged the unfairness of the quota system, but demonstrators demand justice for the violence and implementation of the court's order. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina faces one of her most significant challenges, with the situation escalating beyond the quota issue to include broader grievances like inflation, corruption, and electoral fraud.

Takeaways

• 😡 Students in Bangladesh continue protests after the Supreme Court scrapped most government job quotas.
• 🔨 Protesters want the government to implement the court order before ending demonstrations.
• 💀 Over 150 people have been killed in a week of violent clashes.
• 👨‍👩‍👦 A third of government jobs were reserved for relatives of veterans from the 1971 independence war.
• 🚨 A strict curfew and near communication blackout have been imposed to control public anger.
• 📢 Protests are reportedly fueled by discontent over the job quota, corruption, high inflation, and election rigging.
• 🏥 Many students and protesters have been injured or killed in the violence, leading to public outcry.
• 👮‍♂️ Bangladesh's government denies using violence against unarmed students, claiming the protests are politically motivated.
• 👩‍⚖️ The Supreme Court ruling is seen as a step, but students demand accountability for the killings.
• 📴 Communication shutdowns make it difficult to get information from the ground.

Q & A

What is the main cause of the protests in Bangladesh?

The main cause of the protests is the government's job quota system for relatives of veterans from Bangladesh's war for independence, which students argue is unfair and benefits those close to the ruling party.

How did the Supreme Court respond to the quota system?

The Supreme Court scrapped most of the government job quotas, which led to protests by students who were demonstrating against them.

What is the current situation regarding the violence in Bangladesh?

The situation is tense, with more than 150 people killed in a week of violence. The government has imposed a strict curfew and near blackout of communication to control public anger.

What are the demands of the protesting students?

The students are demanding the government to implement the Supreme Court order, accountability for the violence against protesters, and justice for those killed.

What is the government's stance on the violence against students?

The government has denied using violence against unarmed students and alleges that the protests are politically motivated.

Who is the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, and what is her response to the situation?

The Prime Minister is Sheikh Hasina. She has promised action against those who've committed murder and acknowledged the unfairness of the high percentage of government jobs allocated for veterans' families.

What is the role of the police and paramilitary forces in the situation?

The police and paramilitary forces are accused of cracking down on the protests, leading to violence and casualties.

How has the international community reacted to the situation in Bangladesh?

The script does not provide specific details on the international community's reaction, but it mentions that the election was disputed and not considered free and fair by the international community.

What is the impact of the internet shutdown on the situation?

The internet shutdown has limited the flow of information, making it difficult to communicate with people on the ground and leaving the public with limited information about the ongoing protests and violence.

What are the broader issues that have contributed to the protests, according to the script?

Beyond the quota system, the script suggests that broader issues such as high inflation, corruption, lack of accountability, and disenfranchisement due to rigged elections have contributed to the protests.

What is the current status of the quota system after the Supreme Court's decision?

The Supreme Court's decision has scrapped most of the quotas, but the script indicates that students are not satisfied and continue to protest, demanding the implementation of the court order and justice for the violence.