Bangladesh is in turmoil as the quota reform movement intensifies, leading to repression and the tragic deaths of student protesters. University students demand a reduction in the quota system that reserves over half of government jobs for specific groups, advocating for merit-based recruitment.
On Friday, a telecommunications blackout isolated Bangladesh. The death toll has reached 64 due to brutal crackdowns by security forces. Students, wielding sticks and metal rods, face harsh measures, with over 100 police officers injured. Protesters stormed a jail, freed hundreds of inmates, and set it on fire, showcasing their desperation. Earlier, they set fire to the state broadcaster, Bangladesh Television, causing a broadcast silence. Hackers have compromised several official websites, declaring, “It’s not a protest anymore. It’s a war now.”
The government’s response has been severe, including threats of a total ban on protests. This harsh repression has only fueled the students’ resolve, reminiscent of the global student movements of the 1960s. The protests reflect deep frustrations in a country where 40 percent of youth are unemployed or out of school, highlighting broader issues of social justice.
Join us for a demonstration on Monday, July 22, at Windthorststraße (opposite Münster Hauptbahnhof) at 11 AM in solidarity with the student movement in Bangladesh. Together, we will commemorate the martyrs killed by police.
