Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: One was killed, another injured in a raid by an Israeli drone on the city of Khiam in South Lebanon
London views possibility of setting fire to tanker in port of friendly country to Russia to damage port infrastructure, initiate an international probe: Moscow
One of London's scenarios involves setting up accident with 'undesirable' tanker in one of the bottlenecks of maritime communications: Russian foreign intelligence agency
London plans to organize major sabotage with tankers to declare transportation of Russian oil to international shipping: Russian foreign intelligence agency
UK intelligence agencies plan to use NATO allies to launch massive raid on 'Shadow Fleet': Russian foreign intelligence agency
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.

Bangladesh undergoes nationwide shutdown amid anti-quota protests

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 18 Jul 2024 15:52
3 Min Read

Angered by high youth unemployment, students organized demonstrations demanding the abolition of the job quota that allocates 30% for families of veterans who served in the 1971 independence war against Pakistan.

Listen
  • x
  • Anti-quota protesters and students backing the ruling Awami League party clash in Dhaka on July 16, 2024. (AFP)
    Anti-quota protesters and students backing the ruling Awami League party clash in Dhaka on July 16, 2024. (AFP)

Bangladesh is heading towards a nationwide shutdown of businesses and transportation services from Thursday following violent student-led anti-quota protests that have resulted in six killed and hundreds injured.

“No establishments, except for hospitals and emergency services, will be open, and no vehicles are allowed on the roads,” said one of the student demonstration organizers, Asif Mahmud, in a statement on Wednesday, urging for all educational institutions to follow suit.

With a warning issued on Thursday stating that the "situation is extremely volatile," the US embassy in Dhaka announced its closure to the public. Meanwhile, the Indian High Commission halted all of its visa application sites in Bangladesh.

Why are students protesting?

Related News

Bangladesh to unveil major reforms on Hasina ouster anniversary

19 dead, dozens hurt after Bangladeshi jet crashes into college

Angered by high youth unemployment, with approximately 32 million people unable to find work or receive an education, students organized demonstrations demanding the abolition of the job quota that allocates 30% for families of veterans who served in the 1971 independence war against Pakistan.

Demonstrators have stated that the job quota ultimately favors supporters of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's party, excluding new job seekers from the labor force. As a result, they are also demanding the replacement of the current political system with a merit-based one. 

Government jobs are highly coveted in Bangladesh and are now more pivotal as the country’s economy struggles to recover from the pandemic and years of strong growth. Essentially, the anti-quota protests were sparked last month but escalated to violence earlier this week, alongside Bangladesh’s main opposition party joining the demonstrations.

Videos from a private university in Dhaka circulating on social media depicted students clashing with police before advancing to block a major road. In some areas in Dhaka, members of the student wing of the ruling Awami League party attempted to remove demonstrators from the streets.

Prime Minister Hasina's role

Prime Minister Hasina has served for four consecutive terms following her re-election in January. Ultimately, the protests created various issues for the diplomat, whose government seeking funds from creditors and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to improve the nation’s foreign exchange reserves. 

The politician asked student protestors in a televised speech on Wednesday to have trust in the legal system where the quota system is being debated while pledging to prosecute the “criminals” responsible for the invocation of violence. In addition, she highlighted that a judicial committee will be assembled to probe the “anarchy.”

Due to the nationwide shutdown, the government posted parliamentary troops and the police together across the country in an attempt to tighten security.

  • bangladesh
  • sheikh hasina
  • bangladesh police
  • Student protest

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS