Bangladesh is bracing for heightened tensions as both anti-government protesters and the ruling Awami League prepare to hold significant rallies nationwide on Sunday. This surge in demonstrations follows tragic violence last month, which resulted in over 200 fatalities during protests related to civil service job quotas.
In a recent crackdown, security forces have reportedly detained around 10,000 individuals, including opposition supporters and students, in an effort to quell the unrest. The group Students Against Discrimination, which is spearheading the anti-government protests, has called for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign.
Beginning Sunday, the group has initiated a nationwide disobedience campaign, encouraging citizens to withhold tax payments and utility bills while also demanding the shutdown of factories and public transport. On the opposite side, the Awami League is also mobilizing supporters for rallies throughout the country.
With both factions preparing to demonstrate, there are increasing concerns about the potential for further violence. The coming days are deemed critical for both sides.
During a rally in Dhaka, Nahid Islam, a leader of the student movement, emphasized the need for justice: “Sheikh Hasina should not only resign; there should be a trial for the killings, looting, and corruption.”
These protests present a significant challenge to Prime Minister Hasina, who secured a fourth consecutive term in the January elections, which were boycotted by the main opposition.
The initial wave of protests began when students objected to the allocation of many civil service positions for the relatives of veterans from Bangladesh’s 1971 independence war. Although the government has since reduced some quota allocations, protests have persisted as students continue to demand justice for those affected by the violence.
Supporters of Hasina have dismissed any notion of her resignation, despite her earlier offer for unconditional dialogue with student leaders aimed at ending the conflict.
“I want to sit with the agitating students and listen to them. I want no conflict,” Hasina stated. However, student protest leaders have rebuffed her proposal.
Following violent protests last month, which included attacks on police stations and state buildings, the military was called in to restore order. Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman convened a meeting with junior officers in Dhaka to evaluate the security situation, asserting the army’s commitment to support the people during times of need.
Amid renewed protests in various cities, the government is grappling with escalating public dissatisfaction over its handling of the demonstrations. Reports indicate that most of the casualties from the previous protests were due to police gunfire, while the government maintains that the use of force was necessary for self-defense and to protect state properties.
