Indian Residents In Bangladesh Advised To Avoid Travel Amid Escalating Anti-Quota Protests

Indian citizens in Bangladesh have been advised to avoid travel and minimize their movement outside their residences amid a nationwide strike against the government’s job quota system. The Indian High Commission in Dhaka issued an advisory urging Indian community members and students in Bangladesh to stay indoors and limit their travel. In case of emergencies, residents are encouraged to contact the High Commission and the Assistant High Commissions through 24-hour emergency numbers.

The protests center around demands to abolish a quota system for government jobs, which critics argue unfairly favors members of Bangladesh’s ruling party by reserving positions for specific groups, including descendants of participants in the 1971 war of independence against Pakistan.

Bangladeshi students have vowed to continue their nationwide protests against the civil service hiring rules. This comes despite Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s pledge for justice for the six individuals killed during the demonstrations. Protest coordinator Nahid Islam stated, “We will go ahead with our plans for a complete shutdown… All establishments will remain closed.” He added that only hospitals and emergency services, including ambulances, will be operational.

Also read: Indian Embassy Advises Indian In Bangladesh To Avoid Travel Amid Student Protest

These protests represent the first major challenge to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government since she secured a fourth consecutive term in January in an election boycotted by the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). On August 7, the Supreme Court is set to hear the government’s appeal against a High Court ruling that ordered the reinstatement of the 30% job reservation for the families of those who fought in the 1971 war of independence from Pakistan.