In his first official statement regarding the recent civil unrest in Bangladesh, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan confirmed on Sunday that at least 147 people have died during the violent clashes sparked by student protests over government job quotas. This announcement follows weeks of nationwide turmoil, marking the deadliest unrest in the country in over a decade.
The protests began on July 1, driven by students and job seekers demanding reform of the existing quota system, which reserves a significant percentage of government jobs for certain groups, including descendants of war veterans. The situation escalated dramatically in mid-July when clashes erupted between students and police at Dhaka University, spreading rapidly across the country.
According to the Home Minister, the deceased include students, police officers, and individuals from various professions. Independent estimates and media reports, however, suggest that the death toll could exceed 200, with over 9,000 people arrested, including numerous students and protest leaders. The unrest has also resulted in significant property damage, including attacks on government buildings, metro rail stations, and power substations.
Khan emphasized that the police acted with restraint, only opening fire when necessary to protect government properties and maintain order. “The police never opened fire in an overzealous manner. They remained patient and only fired when they were forced to,” he said. Despite this claim, video footage and eyewitness reports suggest a heavy-handed response by law enforcement.
The government has also faced criticism for its handling of the situation. Students Against Discrimination, the group leading the protests, has vowed to resume demonstrations if their leaders are not released from custody. The group’s chief, Nahid Islam, and other leaders were reportedly taken from a hospital by plainclothes detectives, with their whereabouts currently unknown.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina attempted to console the families of the deceased at her official residence in Dhaka, promising to seek justice for those killed. However, opposition figures and rights groups have condemned the government’s actions, accusing it of using excessive force to suppress dissent.
To regain control, the government imposed a nationwide curfew and deployed the army. Although the curfew has been gradually eased, the situation remains tense, with schools and many businesses still closed. The government also shut down mobile internet services for 11 days, further isolating the country and stifling communication. On July 29, the Bangladeshi Minister for Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, announced that 4G mobile internet services would be restored.
As Bangladesh navigates this period of instability, the demand for a fair and merit-based job recruitment system continues to fuel public anger. The Supreme Court’s recent decision to reduce but not eliminate the quotas has failed to satisfy protesters, indicating that tensions may persist until more comprehensive reforms are enacted.
