Bangladesh students set fire to the state broadcaster on Thursday, a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina appeared on it to address deadly clashes that killed at least 39 persons over a quota system for government jobs. Hundreds of protesters, demanding civil service hiring reforms, fought with riot police who fired rubber bullets. The angry crowd chased retreating officers to BTV’s headquarters in Dhaka, setting fire to the reception building and dozens of parked vehicles.
External Affairs Minister, Dr. S Jaishankar has requested Indian nationals in Bangladesh to follow the advisory by the High Commission of India in Dhaka.
Rights groups accused Hasina’s government of abusing state institutions to solidify its power and suppress dissent, including through extrajudicial killings of opposition activists. This week, Bangladesh administration ordered schools and universities to close indefinitely as police intensified efforts to control the worsening law and order situation.
The premier appeared on the broadcaster on Wednesday night to condemn the “murder” of protesters and vow that those responsible will be punished regardless of their political affiliation.
The demonstrations are taking place due to the quota system that allocates up to 30% of government jobs to relatives of veterans from Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence against Pakistan. Protesters seek to abolish this system, claiming it is discriminatory and favours supporters of PM Hasina’s Awami League party, which led the independence movement. They advocate for a merit-based system instead.
But violence worsened on the streets of Bangladesh despite her appeal for calm as police again attempted to break up demonstrations with rubber bullets and tear gas volleys. “Our first demand is that the prime minister must apologise to us,” protester Bidisha Rimjhim said.
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