1. At least 174 people have been killed, and over 2,500 have been arrested in Bangladesh during clashes between government and anti-government students, according to AFP.
2. Tens of thousands of protesters demanded the end of the quota system that allocates public sector positions to the relatives of independence war veterans.
3. According to the BBC, on Sunday, the Bangladeshi court ruled to reduce the veterans’ quota to 5%.
At least 174 people have been killed, and 2,500 have been arrested in Bangladesh during clashes between government and anti-government students, according to AFP.
For days, tens of thousands of protesters have been demanding the abolition of the 30% quota that allows relatives of the 1971 independence war veterans to hold public sector positions.
Protest organizers say that the police and the student government faction have used brutal force against peaceful protesters. The government denies these accusations.
The 1971 War of Independence was a revolutionary armed conflict that resulted in Bangladesh’s secession from Pakistan.
Amid the massive protests and violent clashes, the Bangladeshi court has decided to reduce the quota for independence war veterans to 5%
While the protesters welcome the court’s decision, they are eager to see how it will be implemented in practice. Their current demands include, among other things, the release of those arrested and the resignation of government ministers.
Meanwhile, the authorities have imposed a curfew and deployed the army on the streets. The student movement leading the protests has suspended demonstrations for 48 hours starting Monday, July 22.
