Violence in Bangladesh has killed more than 130 people as students demand reform of the quota system that governs the allocation of government jobs in the country. The protests intensified after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s controversial remarks in which she referred to the protesters as “Razakars”. The term, which historically has negative connotations, is reminiscent of the East Pakistani volunteer force that opposed the creation of Bangladesh as a sovereign nation during the 1971 independence war.
Spark
The protests, which began late last month, turned violent earlier this week when student activists at Dhaka University, the country’s largest university, clashed violently with police and counter-protesters affiliated with the ruling Awami League.
The controversial quota system reserves up to 30 per cent of government jobs for family members of veterans who fought against Pakistan in Bangladesh’s 1971 independence war. Protesters argue the system is discriminatory and disproportionately benefits supporters of Prime Minister Hasina’s Awami League party. They advocate a merit-based system to replace the existing quotas. Prime Minister Hasina’s sharp remarks at a public meeting sparked further protests.
“If not the grandchildren of freedom fighters, who will get the quota benefits? The grandchildren of ‘Razakars’?” the Bangladeshi prime minister asked. “This is my question. I want to ask the people of the country. If the protesters do not listen to me, I cannot do anything. They can continue their protest. If the protesters damage property or attack the police, the law will take its course. We cannot do anything about it.”
Prime Minister Hasina’s intention was to highlight the importance of preserving benefits for the descendants of those who fought for Bangladesh’s independence. However, the term “Razakar” touched a sensitive nerve. It is a term that brings back memories of widespread violence from the 1971 independence war, during which “Razakars” collaborated with the Pakistani army against the Bengali nationalist movement.
Historical context of the term “Razakar”
The “Razakars” were a paramilitary force recruited by the Pakistani army during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. Consisting mainly of pro-Pakistan Bengalis and Urdu-speaking Biharis, the “Razakars” were involved in numerous atrocities, including mass killings, rapes and torture. The 1971 war saw enormous suffering, with civilian deaths estimated at 300,000 to 3 million. The scars of these events are still evident in the national psyche.
In 2010, Prime Minister Hasina’s government established the International Crimes Tribunal to prosecute those accused of war crimes during the 1971 conflict. The move was part of her strategy to address historical injustices and was widely seen as a fulfillment of her party’s electoral promises. The tribunal has since convicted several individuals, mainly from the now-banned Jamaat-e-Islami party.
In December 2019, the government published a list of 10,789 individuals identified as “Razakars”, the first official recognition of these collaborators. The list included prominent personalities and was aimed at ensuring that future generations understand the historical context of their actions.
Controversial quota system
The current protests are based on a quota system for government jobs that allocates a significant share to descendants of freedom fighters. The system, which was established in 1972 and briefly abolished before being reinstated in 2018, has been a source of controversy. Critics argue it disproportionately benefits Awami League supporters and limits opportunities for other qualified candidates.
“They are protesting against the repressive nature of the state,” Mubashar Hasan, a Bangladesh expert at the University of Oslo in Norway, told AFP. “The protesters are questioning Hasina’s leadership and accusing her of holding on to power by force. The students are actually calling her a dictator.”
Bangladesh has a history of student protests against the quota system. The latest wave began after a decision to reinstate the system, after which the Supreme Court suspended the order pending the government’s appeal. This legal uncertainty has left many students frustrated, feeling that their demands for a merit-based system are being ignored.
Students’ grievances go beyond the quota system. Rising youth unemployment and a stagnant economy have fueled a sense of frustration and hopelessness. Public sector jobs with regular salaries and benefits are highly coveted in a country where economic opportunities are limited.
