Bangladesh quota protests - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. The quota system in Bangladesh: The quota system in Bangladesh reserves a certain percentage of government jobs for various categories of people, including minorities, women, and freedom fighters' descendants.
- 2. Protests against the quota system: In April 2018, students in Bangladesh started protesting against the quota system, demanding reforms and changes to the existing quota allocation.
- 3. Trigger for protests: The protests were triggered by a leaked audio clip of a government official discussing the quota system and alleged corruption in job recruitment.
- 4. Demands of the protesters: The protesters demanded a reduction in the quota reserved for various categories, including freedom fighters' descendants, from 30% to 10%.
- 5. Violence during protests: The peaceful protests turned violent when police and ruling party activists attacked the protesters with tear gas and rubber bullets, resulting in injuries and arrests.
- 6. Social media impact: The protests gained momentum through social media platforms, with hashtags like #ReformQuotaBD trending on Twitter and Facebook.
- 7. Government response: The government initially agreed to meet some of the protesters' demands, but later backtracked and announced a halt to quota reform.
- 8. Criticism of government crackdown: The government's crackdown on the protesters was criticized by human rights organizations and opposition parties for violating the right to peaceful assembly and free speech.
- 9. International attention: The quota protests in Bangladesh received international attention, with organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch condemning the government's response.
- 10. Ongoing situation: The protests have continued sporadically, with students and activists continuing to demand reforms to the quota system and better job opportunities for all citizens.