Protests Erupt in Bangladesh Demanding Justice for Deadly Crackdown on Student Demonstrations

In Bangladesh, protesters surged into the streets on Saturday, demanding justice for over 200 people killed in last month’s student-led demonstrations concerning government job quotas. Student leaders have initiated a nationwide civil disobedience campaign, calling for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation.

Nahid Islam, leader of Students Against Discrimination—the group behind the initial protests—rejected Hasina's offer for talks earlier in the day. Addressing thousands at a national monument in Dhaka, Islam declared, “She must resign and she must face trial,” eliciting roars of approval from the crowd.

Prime Minister Hasina, speaking to local media, invited protest leaders to her official residence, Ganabhaban, stating, “I want to sit with the agitating students of the movement and listen to them. I want no conflict.” She also appointed three senior officials to negotiate with the protesters.

The demonstrations began in response to a quota scheme that reserved over half of all government jobs for certain groups, a scheme recently scaled back by Bangladesh’s top court. The move angered graduates facing an acute unemployment crisis, with government figures showing 18 million young Bangladeshis out of work.

The protests remained largely peaceful until police and pro-government student groups attacked demonstrators. In response, Hasina’s government imposed a nationwide curfew, deployed troops, and shut down the mobile internet network for 11 days.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan stated that security forces had operated with restraint but were “forced to open fire” to defend government buildings. The deadly crackdown resulted in the deaths of at least 200 people, including 32 children, and hundreds of pellet gun injuries.

The international community has responded with calls for accountability. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk urged the government to disclose full details of its crackdown and provide information on those killed, injured, or detained. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell also called for an international probe into the “excessive and lethal force against protesters.”

As tensions continue to rise, student leaders remain resolute in their demands for justice and accountability.