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
Israeli media: Intense US efforts are being made to resolve differences, such as the issue of the Israeli presence on Mount Hermon and in southern Syria
Israeli media: The security agreement means amending the disengagement agreement, which will also address the Druze issue
Israeli media: Attempts to reach a security agreement between 'Israel' and Syria were among the topics discussed at the Paris meeting
Israeli media: Sheikh Muwaffaq Tarif rejected a US proposal to join the recent tripartite meeting between Tom Barrack, al-Shaibani, and Dermer
Saba News Agency: Two martyred, five injured in a preliminary toll of the Israeli aggression on the Yemeni Oil Company station on Al-Sitteen Street in Sanaa
Senior Yemeni military source to Al Mayadeen: We observed a state of confusion among the enemy's aircraft squadron after Yemeni air defenses intercepted the attack
Senior Yemeni military source to Al Mayadeen: The Yemeni air defense forces succeeded in neutralizing a squadron of enemy aircraft and prevented airstrikes on some governorates
Senior Yemeni military source to Al Mayadeen: Our air defenses and missile forces forced a formation of enemy aircraft to flee the airspace
Member of the Ansar Allah Political Bureau, Mohammed al-Bukhaiti: The Israeli aggression on Yemen will not deter us from continuing to support Gaza, no matter the sacrifices
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Israeli aggression targeted the Yemeni Oil Company station on Al-Sitteen Street, southwest of the capital, Sanaa, with several raids

Death toll surpasses 100 in Bangladesh anti-quota protests

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 20 Jul 2024 13:06
  • 3 Shares
4 Min Read

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government imposes a curfew, deploying the military to assist the police, who banned public gatherings in Dhaka to prevent further violence in the densely populated city.

Listen
  • x
  • Activists of All India Democratic Students' Organization (AIDSO) shout slogans in solidarity with protesting students in Bangladesh at a protest in New Delhi, July 19, 2024. (AP)
    Protesters from the All India Democratic Students' Organization (AIDSO) shout slogans in solidarity with protesting students in Bangladesh at a protest in New Delhi, on July 19, 2024. (AP)

Violence escalates amid Bangladesh’s nationwide student-led anti-quota protests, bringing the death toll to approximately 105 demonstrators killed, local media reported. At least 52 were killed in the capital of Dhaka on Friday. 

"There must be impartial, prompt and exhaustive investigations into these attacks, and those responsible held to account," UN human rights chief Volker Turk said in a statement, describing the violent clashes between student protestors and police as “shocking and unacceptable.”

Prime Minister Sheikha Hasina’s government imposed an immediate curfew and deployed the military to assist the police, who banned public gatherings in Dhaka to prevent further violence in the densely populated city.

"We've banned all rallies, processions, and public gatherings in Dhaka today," police chief Habibur Rahman told AFP, adding it was necessary to ensure "public safety."

'Our protest will continue'

"Our protest will continue," demonstrator Sarwar Tushar told AFP, despite the various measures imposed by the government and the nationwide internet blackout.

Student protesters also contributed to the escalation of violence, including setting a prison ablaze in the district of Narsingdi after freeing its prisoners. 

Dhaka's law enforcement announced that the demonstrators had burned, vandalized, and carried out "destructive activities" at several government and law enforcement facilities, resulting in the closure of educational institutions due to the increased violence.

The police statement said they could “be forced to make maximum use of law" if the destruction continued.

Related News

Pakistan’s top diplomat visits Dhaka after 12-year gap

Bangladesh to unveil major reforms on Hasina ouster anniversary

Due to the ongoing violence, the government has requested military security to safeguard Prime Minister Hasina at her residence.

Why are students protesting?

Angered by high youth unemployment, with approximately 32 million people are unable to find work or receive an education, students organized demonstrations demanding the abolition of the 56% 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 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.

The other side of the coin

“The law regarding the quota system will proceed on at its own pace,” Awami League (AL) General Secretary Obaidul Quader said at a press conference on July 13 at the Awami League President's office in Dhanmondi.

The Road Transport and Bridges Minister highlighted that the demands and claims made by the protesters counter the state’s constitution and core principles, highlighting the importance of the quota system.

“In the absence of a quota system in recent years, the participation of women and marginalized communities in government services is frustrating,” Quader said.

The general secretary emphasized that compared to India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and other countries within South Asia, Bangladesh has one of the lowest quota rates in the region for both employment and education.

US' hypocritical, double standard antics

In terms of global comments on the protests, Bangladesh criticized the United States for making an “unsubstantiated” statement.

"Use of unverified information to make such baseless claims can fuel violence and undermine Bangladesh government's efforts to maintain a peaceful environment to allow non-violent protests or movement," Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry said in response to the US State Department’s claims that two people were killed during the protests. This was false at the time, and killings only began after the press conference.

"We are aware of and are monitoring reports of widespread student protests in Dhaka and around Bangladesh that have killed two and attacked and injured hundreds. The freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are essential building blocks of any thriving democracy, and we condemn any violence against peaceful protesters. Our thoughts are with those who have been impacted by this violence," the Department’s Spokesperson Matthew Miller said.

General Secretary Quader said that the US should “look in the mirror,” while Hasina accused the Western power of double standards concerning democracy.

  • bangladesh
  • Sheikha Hasina
  • bangladesh police
  • Student protest
  • Bangladesh student protests
  • anti-quota protests

Most Read

Tom Artiom Alexandrovich, executive director of the defense division of the Israeli National Cyber Directorate, undated (Social media)

Israeli-born US prosecutor drops Israeli officer child sex crime

  • Politics
  • 19 Aug 2025
Displaced Palestinians walk through a makeshift camp along the beach in Gaza City, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025 (AP)

Hamas, other factions accept Egypt-Qatar ceasefire proposal: Exclusive

  • Politics
  • 18 Aug 2025
Palestine will not be liberated by UN reports, but by pursuing a different strategic horizon: one that does not beg for recognition. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Economy of Genocide: Albanese's report accuses, but doesn't dismantle system

  • Opinion
  • 18 Aug 2025
Israeli soldiers stand on the top of armoured vehicles parked on an area near the Israeli-Gaza border, as seen from southern Israel, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025 (AP)

Palestinian fighters target Israeli soldiers, vehicles in Gaza

  • Politics
  • 21 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Prime minister's office in al-Quds, Occupied Palestine, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Netanyahu deliberately derailing truce with Gaza occupation: Hamas

Irish President Michael Higgins arrives to deliver his speech during a 42nd World Food Day celebration at FAO headquarters in Rome, on Oct. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Politics

Irish president renews call for UN military intervention in Gaza

US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the US Embassy in Aukar, northern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, July 21, 2025 (AP)
Politics

US envoy, Netanyahu discuss restraining attacks on Lebanon, withdrawal

Smoke billows following Israeli airstrikes in multiple areas in Sanaa, Yemen, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ansar Allah vow sustained Gaza support despite Israeli strikes

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