DHAKA: Bangladesh’s government declared a day of mourning on Tuesday to honor victims of recent nationwide unrest. However, student groups have criticized the gesture, calling it disrespectful to classmates killed in clashes with police this month.
The student protests, initially sparked by civil service job quota disputes, escalated into violent confrontations that resulted in at least 206 deaths, including several police officers.
The unrest represents some of the most severe violence during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year tenure. In response, her administration implemented mass arrests, deployed troops, and imposed a nationwide internet shutdown, which was lifted on Sunday. The government announced that Tuesday’s observance would include prayers in mosques nationwide to mark the violence and “terrorist activities” that occurred during the unrest.
Students Against Discrimination, the group behind the initial protests, accused the government of using the day of mourning to shift blame away from police actions. Mahin Sarker, a coordinator for the group, condemned the government for mocking students instead of ensuring justice for those killed by state forces.
According to the Daily Star newspaper, over 10,000 people have been arrested since the protests began, drawing criticism from rights groups. Amnesty International’s Smriti Singh described the mass arrests as a “witch hunt” intended to silence dissent. Despite the ongoing presence of troops in urban areas and a nationwide curfew, the curfew has been gradually relaxed, signaling the government’s confidence in having regained control.
The protests were triggered by the reintroduction of a quota system reserving over half of all government jobs for certain groups. With an estimated 18 million young Bangladeshis unemployed, this move infuriated graduates struggling to find work. Critics argue that the quota system is used to fill public jobs with loyalists of the ruling Awami League. Although the Supreme Court reduced the number of reserved jobs following the unrest, it did not fully address the protesters’ demands.
Prime Minister Hasina, 76, has been in power since 2009 and secured her fourth consecutive election victory in January in a vote largely uncontested by genuine opposition. Her government faces accusations from rights groups of misusing state institutions to maintain power and suppress dissent, including allegations of extrajudicial killings of opposition activists.
The protests remained mostly peaceful until law enforcement and pro-government student groups attacked demonstrators. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called for full accountability for the excessive and lethal force used by law enforcement against protesters.
Meanwhile, the government accused opposition parties of exploiting the protests to incite unrest. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan claimed that security forces acted with restraint and only opened fire to protect government buildings.
As Bangladesh mourns the victims of the recent violence, the government’s handling of the protests and subsequent crackdown continues to face scrutiny both domestically and internationally.
