The midnight silence of Saturday was shattered by the government's declaration of a curfew and the deployment of the military to quell student protests. These protests, which began as a demand for educational reforms, have now become a symbol of resistance against an increasingly autocratic regime.
Watching the events unfold from abroad, I find myself constantly checking for updates, feeling a profound sense of connection to my homeland. The evacuation of Indian students and the constant communication between the Indian Embassy and Bangladeshi authorities are reminders of the international implications of this crisis.
The protests' demands are clear and justified—a move towards a merit-based system and an end to the discriminatory quota system. The fearlessness displayed by these students despite the obstacles they face is proof of their unwavering commitment to fairness and justice.
The Context of the Unrest
The student protests began as a response to the controversial quota system, which reserves over half of civil service positions for specific groups, including children of veterans from the 1971 liberation war. What started as a demand for fairness and transparency quickly escalated into a broader movement against the government’s autocratic tendencies.
The protesters, primarily students, presented an eight-point demand list to the government. These demands included justice for the killings of the past few days, accountability for those who incited violence, and the resignation of inactive university officials during the attacks. They also called for the withdrawal of all cases filed against protesters and assurances that there would be no future harassment.
For many young Bangladeshis, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s administration represents a regime that has repeatedly stifled dissent and manipulated state institutions to maintain power.
The anger and frustration among the youth have been building for years, and the current protests are an eruption of this simmering discontent.
The Government's Response
The government's reaction to the protests has been severe and swift. On Friday, authorities announced an immediate curfew and the deployment of the military to aid civilian authorities. This drastic measure came after days of violent clashes between police and student demonstrators, which resulted in at least 105 deaths, according to hospital reports.
In the capital, Dhaka, the police banned all public gatherings, marking a significant escalation in efforts to control the unrest. Despite an internet shutdown aimed at preventing the organization of rallies, students continued to defy the ban, leading to further confrontations and bloodshed. The scenes of rioting, with buses and trains halted, and the sight of police in riot gear patrolling the streets, paint a grim picture of the current state in Bangladesh.
Government representatives, including the Law Minister Anisul Haque, the Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury, and the State Minister for Information Mohammad Ali Arafat, met with three representatives of the anti-discrimination student movement. However, no concrete decisions emerged from this meeting held at the State Guest House Padma.
Peering in from the Outside
As a Bangladeshi living abroad, I have watched these events unfold with a heavy heart. The images of students, my compatriots, being met with violence for demanding their rights are haunting.
It has been more than 36 hours since an internet blackout started in Bangladesh. Anyone living outside the country has no way of connecting with people inside the country other than making international phone calls with apps like Rebtel and White Calling.
In an age where the world is hyper-dependent on the internet, this feels like a reversion to prehistoric times.
The inability to contact loved ones and receive real-time updates exacerbates the anxiety and helplessness felt by the Bangladeshi diaspora.
The situation brings back memories of other times in history when military force was used against civilians, and the outcomes were never positive. The use of such measures indicates a government that is increasingly desperate and out of touch with the needs and aspirations of its people.
Historical Context of Curfews in Bangladesh
The current situation is reminiscent of Bangladesh's dark periods, particularly the era of military rule after independence in 1971. Two of the most prominent leaders, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Ziaur Rahman, were both assassinated in military coups. Their regimes were followed by military dictatorships, including the rule of General Hussain Muhammad Ershad.
1975 Curfew Following Sheikh Mujib's Assassination
After Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding leader of Bangladesh, was assassinated in a military coup on August 15, 1975, the new government, led by Khondakar Mushtaque Ahmed, imposed a curfew to stabilize the situation. The curfew was enforced by well-armed troops and was part of an effort to return the country to normalcy amidst the chaos. Fighting continued in some areas between forces loyal to the new government and partisans of Sheikh Mujib, but large-scale resistance was minimal. The curfew was a measure to prevent any uprisings and ensure control over the population during a period of significant political upheaval.
Ershad's Rule and the Curfews of 1987
Ershad seized power in a bloodless coup in 1982, suspending the constitution and banning political parties. His regime was marked by widespread protests and civil disobedience. In 1987, opposition groups organized mass demonstrations to demand Ershad’s resignation after he introduced the controversial District Council Bill. The government’s response was harsh, involving curfews, states of emergency, and severe repression of dissent.
On November 27, 1987, President Ershad declared a state of emergency, banned all anti-government protests, and imposed curfews in Dhaka and other major cities to forestall a planned 72-hour general strike by opposition parties. Helmeted riot police and paramilitary forces took positions around the capital immediately after the 30-hour curfew was imposed.
This period saw significant repression, with thousands of opposition activists arrested and fundamental rights suspended.
Despite these measures, the opposition continued their struggle, and Ershad was eventually forced to resign in December 1990.
2007 Curfew Under the Military-Backed Caretaker Government
In 2007, under the military-backed caretaker government led by Fakhruddin Ahmed, similar measures were taken during student protests. Violent clashes between students and police over the demand to end emergency rule led to an indefinite curfew in Dhaka and other cities. The government shut down mobile phone networks and ordered the closure of universities, emphasizing the severe measures taken to suppress dissent.
The student protests erupted on August 20, 2007, after soldiers assaulted students and a teacher involved in a football match at Dhaka University. An army post had been on the campus since the end of the previous year. The clashes between students and police quickly spread to other universities and onto the streets, with vendors, shopkeepers, and the urban poor joining the demonstrations. The government's response was swift and severe: an indefinite curfew was imposed in six major cities, including Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barisal, and Sylhet.
The demonstrations saw widespread participation, with an estimated 87,000 students defying the interim regime’s emergency laws.
The protests led to significant disruptions, with business in the capital grinding to a standstill. The government responded with a heavy hand, dispatching 1,500 police to Dhaka University and deploying many more as the protests spread. Several hundred people were injured as security forces used baton charges and tear gas to break up the protests. A rickshaw puller was killed in Rajshahi, highlighting the deadly nature of the unrest.
The interim government, led by Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed, imposed a curfew, shut down public universities and colleges, and banned media reportage of the protests. Mobile phone networks were closed down, and police enforced the curfew with arrests and beatings. Journalists were among those harassed and injured by the security forces.
The Human Rights Watch condemned the regime's heavy-handed response, emphasizing that the ongoing repression under emergency rule was the root cause of the protests. Despite lifting the curfew briefly, the government continued its crackdown, arresting 144 individuals, including university professors and student leaders accused of "instigating" the unrest.
The interim regime, backed by the military, had taken power in January 2007 amidst political turmoil surrounding national elections. It postponed elections, imposed emergency rule, and launched an anti-corruption campaign, detaining numerous political leaders, including former Prime Ministers Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia.
The Latest Developments
The situation took a darker turn with the recent arrests of key protest leaders. Nahid Islam, a principal coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement, was detained by a joint team of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and detective police in the early hours of July 20 from the Nandipara area of Dhaka. Additionally, former Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) Vice President Nurul Haque Nur was also arrested by the detective police from his residence that same night. Nur's wife, Maria Nur, confirmed to Netra News that the police forcibly entered their home and took him away. Nur was a leader of the 2018 quota reform movement.
Just before his arrest, Nahid Islam gave an interview to Netra News, stating that Sarjis Alam had been relieved from his role as a coordinator of the movement. Previously, Sarjis Alam and two other students had presented their eight-point demand list to a government delegation.
In his last interview before detention, Nahid Islam called on the nation to continue the movement for justice for all killings, warning that the government was conspiring to derail the movement.
He urged the public to remain vigilant against such tactics and called for domestic and international human rights organizations and media to support the protesting students.
The Future of the Protests
Despite the government's efforts to quash the protests, the resolve among the students remains strong. Statements from protest leaders indicate that they are not backing down. The demand for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation is growing louder, and the government’s heavy-handed response has only fueled the determination of the protesters.
Nahid Iqbal, a key coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement, stated that their "shutdown" program would continue. He called on the citizens to support the students instead of the government, highlighting the deep-rooted dissatisfaction among the youth.
The government's declaration of "shoot on sight" orders by Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has further intensified the situation. This declaration came after a meeting with the 14-party coalition leaders, emphasizing the government’s firm stance against the protesters.
What Does it Mean for Bangladesh's Future?
The current crisis poses significant challenges for Bangladesh’s future. The government’s reliance on force to maintain order risks further alienating a significant portion of the population, particularly the youth. This could lead to prolonged unrest and instability.
Moreover, the international community is watching closely. The UN human rights chief has already condemned the attacks on student protesters as "shocking and unacceptable." Continued violence and repression could lead to international sanctions and further isolation.
The imposition of a curfew by the government and the deployment of the army present pivotal moments in this crisis.
Historically, Bangladeshi protesters have faced curfews and military presence before while advocating for a better future.
The outcome could swing either way: the measures might quell the protest entirely, or the protest might persist despite them, continuing unabated until the government is compelled to capitulate.
The eight-point demand list by the protesters includes calls for justice and accountability. However, there have been serious doubts about the sincerity of these demands. For instance, the movement removed Sarjis Alam, a prominent student leader involved, from his role as coordinator for his involvement with the meeting where they allegedly presented these demands. The protests, meanwhile, will continue.
The government's response has shown its willingness to use any means necessary to retain power. Still, the resolve of the students and the broader population suggests that change is inevitable.
The future of Bangladesh depends on how this crisis is resolved and whether the government can recognize and respond to the legitimate demands of its people.
As the curfew continues and the military patrols the streets, I hope for a peaceful resolution and a brighter future for my homeland. The world is watching, and so are we, the diaspora, hoping for the dawn of a new era. May the courage of these young protesters pave the way for a brighter, more just future for Bangladesh.
