Dhaka | August 4: Bangladesh is under a nationwide curfew following escalating unrest over government job reservations, which has led to at least 105 deaths, according to AFP.
The violence is driven by student-led protests demanding the removal of a 30% job reservation for families of the 1971 war of independence veterans. The protesters argue this policy unfairly benefits supporters of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League.
In response, around 245 Indian nationals, including 125 students, have safely returned to India. The Indian government has stated that while the situation is concerning, it remains an internal issue for Bangladesh.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated that the protests are an “internal” matter of Bangladesh. The MEA confirmed that 15,000 Indians, including 8,500 students, currently residing in Bangladesh are safe, and facilitated the return of 245 Indians, including 125 students.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called for dialogue to resolve the matter peacefully, although it remains uncertain if the students will engage. The unrest intensified when protestors stormed a prison in Narsingdi, releasing inmates and setting the facility on fire. They also attacked the country’s state broadcaster, causing temporary outages of national TV channels.
The U.S. has expressed concern over the violence, stressing the importance of safely expressing views. The UN Secretary-General has also called for restraint and accountability for any acts of violence. The situation remains tense, with student protestors determined to continue their demonstrations until their demands are met.
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