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: Two were martyred in an initial toll of the Israeli drone strike that targeted the al-Asira neighborhood in the city of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli drone strike targeted the al-Asira neighborhood east of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are the greatest resistance. Know that 'Israel' will fall because it embodies aggression, crime, and occupation; victory is truly yours
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: The value of what you are doing despite your wounds is immense, and here you are, treading the path of the Master of Nation's Martyrs and the leaders
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are moving forward with insight deeper than sight itself. The enemy sought to eliminate your role in the battle, yet you remain steadfast and continue the fight
Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors one year later: You are healing from your wounds and rising above them. You have successfully passed the test
Palestinian media: Reports of stabbing operation in occupied al-Quds.
Israeli media: Sirens blare in Arava in South, near Ramon Airport.
Egyptian PM Mostafa Madbouli: Egypt is targeted in plans to redraw regional map
AEOI Chief Mohammad Eslami: Our presence in IAEA General Council and fact-checking helped in preventing unilateral rhetoric that aims to portray Iran as an unregulated country

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

Bangladesh calls for support on Rohingya crisis in Myanmar

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

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

Why is Choose Love using a firm with British and US intelligence connections to run a pro-Palestine musical event? (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Together for Palestine: Troubling questions about the organisers of this huge event

  • Opinion
  • 17 Sep 2025
Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025
A screengrab from the ad played on Fox News. (X Screengrab)

Fox airs ad warning Trump not to let Netanyahu 'play' him on Gaza

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

  • Palestine
  • 14 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A Hezbollah supporter who lost his sight in a pager attack carried out by "Israel" on Sept. 17, 2024, covers his eyes with a red headband inscribed with the name "Hussein" during Ashoura, July 6, 2025 (AP)
Politics

'We Have Recovered': Lebanon marks 1st anniversary of Pager Attack

The Arab neighborhood of El Za'im, on the outskirts of east Occupied Al-Quds in the West Bank, near where Israeli government says housing units will be built as part of the E1 settlement project, Thursday, August 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Palestine

'Israel’s' deliberate policies drive West Bank economy toward collapse

Ben & Jerry's ice cream shop, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Politics

Ben & Jerry’s co-founder resigns over parent company curbing activism

Trump’s approval rating falls to new low in second term: Poll
US & Canada

Trump’s approval rating falls to new low in second term: Poll

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