Demonstrations continue in Bangladesh despite the nationwide shutdown of universities

Despite the closure of universities in order to control the protests in Bangladesh against the new quota law for government jobs, nationwide demonstrations continue in this country. 

According to the Reuters news agency, just one day after the bloody demonstrations that left 6 dead and dozens injured, the protesters, most of whom are students, came to the streets again and the security forces had to use gas to disperse them. Teardrops and cars were sprayed with water. 

Bangladesh authorities announce the closure of public and private universities in this country from today (Wednesday) by issuing a statement. However, the volume of protests against the government job quota law continues. According to this law, family members who participated in Bangladesh’s independence war in 1971 from Pakistan get 30% of the employment quota for government jobs. 

Although this issue has provoked public anger, young people are considered the largest group of protesters to the new rationing law due to the high unemployment rate. 

Bangladesh’s population of 170 million people is now facing many problems, as the sudden decisions of government officials fuel public discontent. 

Nationwide protests in Bangladesh started on Monday and today was the third day of protests in this country. Local authorities are afraid that these protests will spread and intensify internal problems. Only in the protests on Monday in one of the big cities of Bangladesh, more than a hundred people were injured.

Translator: Abulfazl Hashemi