Bangladesh is beginning to ease the stringent curfew that followed days of intense clashes between student protesters, advocating for reforms to the job quota system, and a mix of law enforcement and members of the ruling party’s youth wing. The violence, which led to fatalities, numerous arrests, and shoot-on-sight directives, had plunged the nation of 170 million into deep turmoil, compounded by a nationwide telecommunications blackout.
The unrest, which ignited in early July, centered on demands to overhaul the job quota system that had reserved 30 percent of government positions for descendants of 1971 war veterans. On Sunday, the Supreme Court delivered a decisive ruling, slashing the veterans’ quota from 30 percent to 5 percent and limiting a 2 percent quota for ethnic minorities, transgender individuals, and people with disabilities, thereby allocating 93 percent of positions based on merit. The government quickly endorsed this decision.
Although the protesters initially viewed the court’s decision and the government’s endorsement as a partial victory, the severe toll of the conflict—over 150 student deaths and nearly 2,700 arrests—has led to new demands.
The violence peaked on July 15 when members of the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the student wing of the ruling Awami League party, were reported to have attacked the protesters. In response, police imposed a curfew, leading to the closure of universities and schools, the shutdown of businesses, and a nationwide internet blackout.
On Monday, the protesters decided to pause their demonstrations until Wednesday, extending this suspension until Friday. They plan to convene on Thursday to discuss whether to extend the break further.
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