Bangladesh Student Protests | What Is 'Dictator' Sheikh Hasina Afraid Of? | Akash Banerjee & Adwaith

Summary

The video script details a severe crackdown on student protesters in Bangladesh, sparked by the reinstatement of a controversial quota system. The government's violent response, including police and military action, led to numerous deaths and injuries. Despite a state-wide curfew and internet blackout, the protests intensified, demanding quota reform and democracy. The Supreme Court eventually reduced the quota percentage, but students continue to fight for further democratic changes and accountability.

Takeaways

• 🛑 The Bangladeshi police and military have been accused of using extreme violence against student protesters, including shootings and vehicular assaults.
• 🏛 The government, under Sheikh Hasina, has been described as declaring war on the youth, with a heavy-handed response to protests against the quota system.
• 🗞️ There is an ongoing curfew and internet blackout in Bangladesh, limiting the flow of information about the scale and nature of the protests and violence.
• 📉 The quota system, which includes a 30% reservation for freedom fighters and their descendants, has been a point of contention, with students demanding its removal due to perceived misuse and lack of logic.
• 🏛️ The High Court of Bangladesh initially rejected a petition challenging the quota system, but later reinstated it, leading to renewed protests and violence.
• 📜 The Supreme Court eventually reduced the quota system from 56% to 7%, including provisions for freedom fighters' descendants, ethnic minorities, and disabled and transgender people.
• 👥 The protests were largely student-led, with no central political leadership, and were seen as a fight for democracy and against perceived corruption and autocratic rule.
• 🏆 Sheikh Hasina's government has faced criticism for alleged manipulation of institutions, including the judiciary, election commission, and media, to maintain power.
• 🗳️ The 2024 elections in Bangladesh were described as one-sided and fake, with the opposition boycotting the polls and accusing the government of controlling all institutions.
• 📢 The students' demands have evolved from quota reform to broader calls for democracy and accountability, including the release of arrested protesters and resignation of officials responsible for violence.
• 🌐 Despite the government's attempts to suppress information, the protests have highlighted the power of student movements in driving social and political change.

Q & A

What triggered the student protests in Bangladesh?

The student protests in Bangladesh were triggered by the controversial quota system, particularly the 30% freedom fighter quota, which students argued was being misused by the government to favor certain individuals and lacked legal sanctity.

What was the historical context of the quota system in Bangladesh?

The quota system in Bangladesh was introduced by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1972 as a Freedom Fighter quota. It was later expanded for social justice, but the 30% quota for freedom fighters and their descendants became a point of contention in 2018 when students protested against it.

How did the students argue the 30% freedom fighter quota was being misused?

Students argued that the 30% freedom fighter quota was being misused by Sheikh Hasina's government to create a loyal civil servant cadre. They claimed that fake freedom fighter certificates were being issued to favor certain individuals, thus deceiving the youth of Bangladesh.

What was the role of the High Court in the quota system controversy?

The High Court initially rejected a petition challenging the legality of the quota system in 2018. Later, in 2024, it reversed Sheikh Hasina's executive order to remove the quota system, bringing it back into effect.

Why did the students continue to protest even after the High Court's decision?

Students continued to protest because they believed that the High Court's decision was influenced by Sheikh Hasina's government. They demanded a reformed quota system based on population and social justice, and not just a reinstatement of the old system.

What was the government's response to the student protests?

The government initially tried to suppress the protests through police force, including using vehicles, sticks, tear gas, and bullets. Later, they imposed a curfew, an internet blackout, and deployed the army to control the situation.

How did the international community view the elections in Bangladesh under Sheikh Hasina?

The international community, particularly Transparency International, criticized the elections in Bangladesh as one-sided and fake, accusing Sheikh Hasina's government of manipulating the election commission, voter lists, and the judiciary to favor her party.

What was the impact of the student protests on the quota system?

The student protests led to a significant reduction in the quota system. The Supreme Court of Bangladesh reduced the quota from 56% to 7%, which includes 5% for the descendants of freedom fighters, 1% for ethnic minorities, and 1% for the disabled and transgender people.

What were the broader implications of the student protests in Bangladesh?

The student protests in Bangladesh were not just about quota reform; they were also a fight for democracy. Students were concerned about the country's economic situation, increasing unemployment and inflation, and the need for systemic change.

How did the student protests in Bangladesh compare to the quota system in India?

While some in India suggested that similar protests should occur against reservations, the situation in Bangladesh was different. The 30% freedom fighter quota in Bangladesh was not based on social justice, unlike the caste-based reservations in India, which are intended to address historical disadvantages.

Outlines

00:00

🏛️ Student Protests and Government Crackdown in Bangladesh

The script describes the violent response of the Bangladeshi government to student protests against the quota system. It details the deployment of police, special forces, and the army, leading to numerous deaths and injuries. The government's actions are framed as a war against the youth, with a state of emergency, curfews, and internet blackouts in place. The history of the quota system is also discussed, including its origins in the post-liberation period and the 2018 protests that called for its reform or removal due to perceived misuse and lack of legal justification.

05:05

📚 Comparison of Quota Systems and Political Maneuvering

This paragraph compares the quota systems of Bangladesh and India, highlighting the unique controversy surrounding Bangladesh's 30% freedom fighter quota. It outlines the history of the quota system's legal challenges, the High Court's rejection of a petition against it, and the subsequent student protests demanding reform. The narrative also touches on Sheikh Hasina's political tactics, including the cancellation and attempted reformation of the quota system, and the perception of political interference in the judiciary's decisions.

10:07

🚨 Escalation of Protests and State Repression

The script recounts the intensification of student protests and the government's heavy-handed response, including the use of force by the police and the military. It describes the nationwide blockade initiated by students, the government's attempts to discredit and suppress the movement, and the tragic escalation of violence that led to numerous deaths and injuries. The narrative also discusses the government's use of propaganda and the portrayal of students as anti-national, which further fueled the protests.

15:10

📉 Aftermath of the Protests and the Path Forward

The final paragraph summarizes the aftermath of the protests, including the Supreme Court's decision to reduce the quota system and the government's eventual concessions to the students' demands. It discusses the ongoing nature of the protests, with students demanding further action such as the release of arrested protesters and resignations of officials responsible for the violence. The script concludes with reflections on the power of student movements in shaping Bangladesh's history and the potential implications for democracy and social justice in the country.

Keywords

💡Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a country in South Asia, known for its rich history and cultural heritage. In the video script, Bangladesh is the central focus as the location where the student protests and subsequent government actions are taking place. The script discusses the country's history, including its liberation from Pakistan in 1971, and the current political climate under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina.

💡Student Protesters

Student protesters refer to the individuals, primarily university students, who are actively demonstrating against certain policies or actions. In this video script, the student protesters in Bangladesh are fighting against the quota system and demanding reforms. Their protests have been met with violent responses from the government, leading to a significant number of casualties and a nationwide movement.

💡Quota System

The quota system is a policy that reserves a certain percentage of seats in educational institutions and jobs for specific groups, often based on social, economic, or historical criteria. In the context of the video, the quota system in Bangladesh has been a point of contention, particularly the 30% reservation for freedom fighters and their descendants, which students argue is misused and lacks legal basis.

💡Sheikh Hasina

Sheikh Hasina is the current Prime Minister of Bangladesh, leading the Awami League party. The video script portrays her as a dictatorial figure who has been accused of suppressing student protests, misusing the quota system for political gains, and controlling various institutions in the country. Her actions and decisions are central to the narrative of the video.

💡Freedom Fighters

Freedom fighters are individuals who participated in the struggle for independence or liberation of a country. In the script, the term is used to describe those who fought for Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan in 1971. The quota system's 30% reservation for freedom fighters and their descendants is a major point of contention in the protests.

💡Curfew

A curfew is a regulation that restricts movement of people during certain hours, typically at night, due to a state of emergency or unrest. In the video script, a curfew is imposed across Bangladesh in response to the student protests, indicating the severity of the situation and the government's attempts to control the unrest.

💡Internet Blackout

An internet blackout refers to the intentional disruption or blocking of internet services, often by a government, to control the flow of information. In the script, the internet blackout in Bangladesh is mentioned as a measure taken by the government during the protests, highlighting the attempts to suppress information and limit communication.

💡Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority in a country, responsible for interpreting laws and ensuring justice. In the video script, the Bangladesh Supreme Court plays a crucial role in the quota system controversy, initially upholding the High Court's decision to reinstate the quota system, but later reducing it significantly in response to the protests.

💡Awami League

The Awami League is a major political party in Bangladesh, currently in power under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina. The script discusses the party's role in the quota system controversy and its alleged use of force against student protesters, painting a picture of a party that is accused of suppressing dissent and controlling various state institutions.

💡Razaqars

Razaqars were collaborators who assisted the Pakistani army during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. In the script, the term is used derogatorily by Sheikh Hasina to label student protesters as pro-Razaqar, implying they are anti-national. This is a significant point in the narrative as it shows the government's attempts to delegitimize the protesters and their demands.

💡Pro-Democracy Movement

A pro-democracy movement is a political campaign advocating for democratic principles and practices. In the video script, the student protests in Bangladesh are described as part of a broader pro-democracy movement, not just fighting for quota reform but also for greater democratic rights and freedoms in the country.

Highlights

Bangladesh police and military have responded violently to student protests, leading to numerous deaths and injuries.

The protests were triggered by the government's controversial quota system, which students argue is misused for political patronage.

Sheikh Hasina's government has been accused of using the quota system to favor certain individuals, undermining meritocracy.

The quota system's legality was challenged in court, with the High Court initially rejecting the petition before later reinstating the system.

Students demand reform of the quota system, particularly the removal of the 30% freedom fighter quota, which they argue lacks legal and logical basis.

The Bangladesh quota system was compared to India's, highlighting differences in the basis and implementation of reservations.

Sheikh Hasina's government has been criticized for its autocratic rule, including control over institutions and suppression of dissent.

The student protests were decentralized and not controlled by a central political leadership, indicating a grassroots movement.

Despite a nationwide blockade and peaceful protests, the government escalated the situation with violent responses.

The Supreme Court of Bangladesh eventually reduced the quota system after intense student protests, showing the power of collective action.

Students continue to demand the release of arrested protesters and accountability for officials involved in the violence.

The protests have evolved into a broader pro-democracy movement, with students calling for Sheikh Hasina's resignation.

The government's response to the protests, including internet blackouts and curfews, has raised concerns about freedom of information and expression.

The transcript provides a historical context of Bangladesh's struggle for independence and the role of the Awami League in shaping the country's policies.

Transparency International has criticized the elections in Bangladesh as one-sided and fake, indicating a lack of democratic process.

The student movement's persistence and impact underscore the importance of youth in driving social and political change.

Transcripts

In the last two weeks, the police force of Bangladesh shot and killed student protesters in the middle of the road

They crushed the students with their vehicles.

Not only police, but special forces and army were deployed in Bangladesh to strangle the student protesters.

You are not seeing any anti-terror operation.

Special forces are entering Dhaka's one university's roof with helicopters.

Sheikh Hasina government has declared war against the youth of its country.

We don't know how many such incidents will happen, there is no calculation for it.

This is being called one of the worst episodes of slaughter in the history of Bangladesh.

More than 160 people have been officially killed, thousands have been injured

Data is incomplete because of lack of information

The curfew is in progress in the whole of Bangladesh. The internet blackout, at the time of recording this video.

That is why many videos, many incidents have not been able to come out

In the history of Bangladesh, another chapter is being written credit to Sheikh Hasina

But, in front of the students, this Tana Shah has to bow, as student demands could not be suppressed

In today's episode, we will understand why students are protesting against the controversial quota system.

Why did Sheikh Hasina behave so brutally and dictatorially against students?

How did the students defeat her? But students are still saying that war has not ended. Let's find out why.

Before discussing the violence of the last few days, it is important to understand the history behind it.

A little history lesson is necessary here.

Bangladesh was liberated from Pakistan in 1971.

Pakistan had committed a murderous genocide against Bengalis in Bangladesh with the support of the US

More than 30 lakh lives were lost.

Many people in Bangladesh raised their voice against the Pakistani army.

At last, the people of Bangladesh won. Pakistani military had to withdraw.

Pakistan was divided. Bangladesh was freed in 1971.

India's role in this and what Indira Gandhi did, an entire episode can be made.

But Pakistan has not been able to forget this wound.

Anyway, the Awami League was the main party that played an important role in the freedom struggle

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman became the Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

In 1972, the Freedom Fighter quota was introduced by him

And then, the government expanded the quota system on the basis of social justice.

But, in 2018, many students protested against this quota system.

They said that the quota on the basis of social justice is understandable.

But, 30% freedom fighter quota should be removed immediately because it doesn't make any logic.

It may sound good but in reality Sheikh Hasina was using it to give jobs to her favourite people.

She was making her own cadre in the government and the youth of Bangladesh was being deceived in the name of this reservation.

The first opposition is that if you want to honour freedom fighters, you have to run a quota for 10-20 years.

But no one understood the importance of such a huge quota for their children and grandchildren.

Students said that the Constitution talks about giving a quota to freedom fighters,

but not to their children and grandchildren... then there is no legal sanctity for it.

Because this quota is not based on economic or social backwardness.

On top of that, in Bangladesh, almost the entire country was involved in the War of Liberation.

Many people contributed in different ways.

In such a situation, who will decide who is the child of the freedom fighter and who is not?

How is the quota misused? We have seen this in the UPSC scam, India.

In Bangladesh, most surprising thing is that only 0.13% of population has officially got status of Freedom Fighters descendants.

That means, for 0.13% population, 30% reservation quota.

This is a big deal, there is no controversy in this.

There is no sense in this, students can see this, but there is political sense.

Because Sheikh Hasina was accused of making fake freedom fighter certificate for her favourites.

So that she can make a Godi civil servant cadre. After that the whole system can be in her hands.

Because when Sheikh Hasina has given the job, how to work against her?

In the last few days, the quota system of Bangladesh and India has been compared

That if it is bad there, it is bad here too. But there is a difference, especially this 30% freedom fighter quota

In India, reservation is done for caste based social justice, according to the population and according to the study of social backwardness.

Reservation is a system that is made so that SC, ST, OBC communities get government jobs and education

so that caste oppression, which is a historical disadvantage, discrimination, can be reduced to some extent

There is no debate and we have also told this on Deshbhakt that how this reservation is being misused in our country.

Especially, it is being seen in UPSC cadre

In Bangladesh, till 2018, there was 56% reservation.

10% women reservation, 10% for underdeveloped districts, 5% for ethnic minorities, 1% for people with disabilities and transgender people.

All these together make up 26%.

And somewhere or the other, the logic of this reservation is in line with the Indian system.

But the root of this whole problem is the 30% quota for freedom fighters and their descendants in Bangladesh.

The most anger is against this 30%. Not against the entire reservation system.

In 2018, Bangladesh High Court heard a petition challenging the legality of the quota system.

On March 8, 2018, the High Court rejected the petition.

After that, the students came to the conclusion that they had not heard the petition properly. They had rejected the petition.

There should be a reform in the quota system.

Students also wanted to reform the system according to population and social justice.

They wanted to end the Freedom Fighter quota.

But Sheikh Hasina in response to the protest, by an executive order, cancelled the quota system.

Different committees were formed, discussions held, in 2020 - the order was implemented. The quota system was removed.

But this is what politics is all about politics. On this, an appeal was filed on the Bangladesh High Commission

that Sheikh Hasina's executive order is illegal.

On 5th June, 2024, Bangladesh High Court reversed Sheikh Hasina's executive order and the quota system was brought back.

Students again expressed their anger and said that in 2018, Sheikh Hasina had completely destroyed the quota system in a single blow.

So, even now, she could have listened to the students and brought a reformed quota system through Executive Order.

Or she could have passed a bill if she was serious about this matter.

But Sheikh Hasina didn't do that.

Instead, her government filed an appeal in the Appellate Division of Bangladesh Supreme Court.

But the students' perception was different, right?

That Sheikh Hasina is deliberately avoiding this issue and is trying to reintroduce the freedom fighter quota.

Why people may not believe in Sheikh Hasina, an episode can be built on it

but the point is that when Hasina did not take any action on quota reform till 1 July, then the protest started

So don't think that students came out to protest in haste

But the question is, bringing back the quota was the order of the High Court.

Why are they protesting against Sheikh Hasina? The case is pending in the Supreme Court.

So why are the students blaming Sheikh Hasina?

This is because everything from the police to the Supreme Court works under Sheikh Hasina's directions in Bangladesh.

It is important to understand the kind of dictatorial rule in Bangladesh.

In January 2024, Sheikh Hasina got a historic victory

That was no election.

Only Awami League contested the election and opposition did not participate.

Too much fakiri going on.

And this is what a well-known global anti-corruption organization, Transparency International, says

that the elections in Bangladesh were one-sided and fake.

Sheikh Hasina's Godi Election Commission made voter list, poll schedule, constitution delimitation in her favour

Godi Judiciary convicted more than 1,500 opposition leaders a few months before the elections.

Through the Cyber Security Act, the government tried to silence independent media outlets, put journalists in jail

and even the Nobel laureate, Yunus Muhammad, whose micro-financing model brought an economic miracle to Bangladesh,

Sheikh Hasina's government did case after case on him, a formula you may know

In the 2024 elections, the opposition parties said that they will boycott the election and embarrass

They said that they will not participate in the elections until the independent election commission is formed.

They wanted to corner Sheikh Hasina. Sheikh Hasina has a different Fakiri.

She said that they will hold the elections without opposition. Bangladesh is free of opposition

Sheikh Hasina has control over every institution in Bangladesh. Everything is under his control.

When High Court reintroduced quota system on 5th June, 2024, students were convinced that it was not an independent decision

It was an order of Sheikh Hasina. She just wanted to get her decision read by judiciary and put a judicial stamp.

She wanted to introduce quota to make civil servants her own.

So, when not any action taken for a month, the real protest started.

On 1st July, student protest intensifies. She brings out her dictatorial tool kit.

First, she tries to convince students that the matter is now reaching Supreme Court, so don't protest

Then, the students were accused of being misled by the opposition parties.

They were being used as a political tool kit. But that is not so.

The student movement was decentralized. There was no central political leadership.

The opposition had no control over the movement. Yes, they tried to support it from outside.

In the beginning, the students protested in the universities. Then, on 7th July, protesters started nationwide blockade.

Raasta Roko and Rail Roko programs started in all major cities.

There was a big movement on a large scale. But it was peaceful.

Students believed that they had no other option.

Due to this pressure, Supreme Court's appellate bench put a stay on this controversial judgment of the High Court

And on 7th August, after a long time, on 7th August, Supreme Court ruled that hearing will be held.

Sheikh Hasina told students to stop the protest. Hearing will be held on 7th August.

But students don't trust Sheikh Hasina. And we can't blame them.

Because she has done such things in the past.

The protests continued and Sheikh Hasina declared students anti-national on 14th July.

She said in a press conference that if not for the grandchildren of freedom fighters,

then do the protesters want us to give quota to the grandchildren of the Razaqars

Basically, student protesters were called pro-Razaqar.

Now, for context, Razaqar were those people who helped the Pakistan army in the 1971 Liberation War.

That is, they gave the highest level of anti-national tag to student protesters

Razaqar is such a powerful word in Bangladesh.

Tukde Tukde Gang, Khan Market Gang, Soros Gang, Liptard, Secular, Gaddar, Anti-National - mix them up - then you have Razaqar insult

Students were hurt, students were angry, protests intensified even more.

Students started to raise the opposite slogan. 1, 2, 3, 4, we are all Razaqar. Who are we? Who are we? Razaqar.

Who said it? Who said it? Autocrat, autocrat.

This type of name calling and targeting has become an old part of the dictator toolkit

to delegitimize the protesters, to call them traitors, to demotivate them.

15 July - attacks started

Awami league general secretary said Bangladesh Chhatra League, student group of Awami league, can answer protesters

Some reports say that goons of Awami league student body were attacking, even using guns on protesting students

On 16 July, 6 protesters died. But students didn't give up.

Rallies and showdowns started on a high level. Sheikh Hasina's police started to use sticks.

On 18th July, there are reports that near Dhaka's BRAC University and inside its campus, police used sticks, tear gas and in some cases, bullets were fired.

By 18th July, 30 protesters were killed by the protesters.

Protesters attacked government offices.

At least at this point, Sheikh Hasina should have taken a clear action to restore peace,

to form a committee and to give strong orders to the police to stop deadly violence against protesters

The student union of the Awami League could have been controlled.

The legitimate demands of the protesters did not need to be suppressed by violence

But what happens is that Tana Shah consider themselves to be God

They think that what do these small people know, but they know everything. And according to that, they take action.

Sheikh Hasina has now used the dictatorial digital toolkit.

On 18th July, the internet was shut down overnight in the whole country.

Complete curfew was also imposed in the cities of the country.

Army troops deployed on 19th July.

We don't know how many students have died or how many have been injured. Because information blackout is still going on.

According to ground reports, at least 163 people have died.

If there are 25,000 people injured, there could be more death tolls.

But even after all this, Sheikh Hasina had to bow down to the demands of the students.

The hearing that was supposed to be held on 7th August, was pre-poned

On 21st July, the Supreme Court of Bangladesh changed the quota system of the Appellate Bench

The quota has been reduced from 56% to only 7%

which includes 5% for the descendants of the Freedom Fighters, 1% for the ethnic minorities and 1% for the disabled and transgender people.

The entire system and the entire power Tana Shah Haseena, had to listen to the students

But the protests are not over yet. The problem is not over yet.

The students say that their fight will continue until the police release hundreds of protesters who have been arrested in the past few days.

They also demand that all the officials who caused the deaths, they have to resign.

The groups also say that they want to continue the movement as a pro-democracy movement until Sheikh Hasina resigns

Students have suspended their protest for two days.

Remember that the internet is suspended in Bangladesh till the time we record this episode.

It is also being said that until the Sheikh Hasina government does not form a commission

which does make a representative quota system, these protests will continue.

Will this really happen? Will she try to do as she pleases through a backdoor?

Will there be any action against the Awami league students' union and violent police?

We are not optimistic. But one thing is clear.

No matter how powerful a person tries to be, he has to bow down to the power of the common people.

Especially the student power.

Students were leading the language movement till 1952.

They fought in the war for equality between Bangladesh and Urdu in undivided Pakistan.

And when Pakistan didn't agree, universities played a big role in the Liberation War of 1971.

Students played a very important role in the anti-military rule and pro-democracy movement of 1991.

And today, students are not only fighting for quota reform, but also for democracy in Bangladesh.

They know that the economy is drowning due to Sheikh Hasina's undemocratic policies.

Unemployment and inflation is increasing. The working population in Bangladesh, manufacturing jobs is also decreasing.

They know that system has to change if country has to develop.

In India, some people are saying that such protests should be against reservation and quota here should be removed.

This is a complete misunderstanding of the situation because the 30% quota of freedom fighters in Bangladesh was not based on any social justice.

We can learn from this that we should not bow down to the dictatorial attitude towards student protests.

Sheikh Hasina can make a Godi bureaucracy, Godi judiciary, Godi election commission,

can make the police use sticks, shoot bullets, can call the protestors anti-national,

but the Tana Shahi will not work in the end.