Protesters set 48-hour deadline for Bangladesh’s government

Protesters in Bangladesh have set a 48-hour deadline for the government to restore internet service and end curfews, following deadly clashes between students, pro-government supporters, and armed police. The unrest, which resulted in the deaths of nearly 150 people according to hospital reports, has prompted the organizers of the protests to call for a halt to the demonstrations.

The initial purpose of the protests was to push for reform of the job quota system in Bangladesh, which originally reserved 30% of civil service positions for the families of individuals who fought for independence in the country’s Liberation War in 1971. Despite the government scrapping the quota rules in 2018, a court decision reinstated the system last month, leading to widespread outrage among young people in the country, who make up a significant portion of the population.

Nahid Islam, the leader of the protest group, explained that while they initially marched for quota reform, the high death toll and damage to life and property resulting from the clashes forced them to change their approach. The Supreme Court’s ruling that only a small percentage of civil service jobs would remain reserved for certain categories led to increased tensions and ultimately, the violent confrontations between protesters and authorities.

As tensions continue to rise and with the protesters demanding action from the government, the coming days will be crucial in determining the outcome of the situation in Bangladesh. The authorities now face the pressure of meeting the protesters’ demands within the set deadline, as the country grapples with the aftermath of the violent clashes and the ongoing unrest.